FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF 
REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.  D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED   BY  HIM  TO 

THE  LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


THE  ^^-^  t'f  fR"^^ 

FAITH  AND  DOCT^IN|Pr  gQ  1933    f 


OF  THE  \V^.  ,  ..,'.^' 


CHUECH  OF  THE  ETERN^ 


IlfTEIfDED  AS  A 


CHURCH  BOOK 


CHURCH  OF  THE  ETERNAL  SON  GENERALLY, 

ALSO,  FOR  THE  USE  OF  ALL  SINCERE  SEEKERS  AFTER  FULL  SALVATIOIf 

AND  PERFECT  LOVE;    AND  PARTICULARLY  FOR  THE  CONVINCE- 

MENT  OF  SUCH  AS  DOUBT  THE  TRUTH  OF  THE  DOCTRINE 

OF  THE  "ETERNAL  SONSHIP,"  OR  THAT  JESUS  WHO 

DIED  ON  THE  CROSS  IS  THE  ONE  ONLY  GOD  : 

According  to  the  Prophet  Isaiah  (x'ltv.  6),  ^'■Thus  saith  the  Lord  the  King 
of  Israel,  and  his  Redeemer  the  Lord  of  Hosts.  I  am  the  First  and  I  am  the 
Last,  and  besides  me  there  is  no  God.'''  To  which  Jesus  seU  his  seal,  as  follows  : 
'■'■These  things  saith  the  First  and  the  Last  which  WAS  DEAD.^''   Rev.  ii.  8. 

THIS  VOLUME  IS  DIVIDED  INTO  FOUR  PARTS. 
TO  WHICH  IS  ADDED, 

A  NUMBER  OF  SELECT  HYMNS  ADAPTED  TO  THE 
WORSHIP  OF  JESUS  "THE  TRUE  GOD." 

PART  I,  INVITATION  AND   ADDRESS,  PAGE   17. 

II.  DECLARATION   OF  FAITH,  PAGE   54. 

III.  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHURCH,  PAGE   130. 

IV.  ILLUSTRATION   OF  ITS  FAITH  AND  DOCTRINES. 

THE  BOOK  ABOUNDS  WITH  COPIOXIS  EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES,  AND 

WITH  ARGUMENTS  THEREFROM  WHICH  PROVE  THAT  JESUS,  WHO 

DIED  ON  THE  CROSS,  IS  "  THE  TRUE  GOD."     1  JOHN  V.  20. 

This  Book  has  beoi  more  than  seventeen  years  in  progress,  and  is  now 
offered  to  all  (apart  from  its  church  government)  as  a 

BOOK  OF  REFERENCE 

PROVING  THE  DIVINITY  AND  ETERNITY  OF  THE  SON  OF  GOD 

AS  A  SON. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
1849. 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1849,  by 

ROBERT  STREET,  Artist, 

in  the  Office  of  the  Clerk  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Eastern 
District  of  Pennsylvania. 


INDEX  OF  PRINCIPAL  SUBJECTS. 

[See  the  Table  of  Contents  for  particulars] 


Page 

ADDRESS  to  the  Children  of  God  .  .  .         17—53 

ADDRESS  to  sincere  Seekers,  showing  them  the  way  to  ob- 
tain full  redemption  ....         24 — 30 

ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  ....       72—113 

See  Table  of  Contents  for  the  Subjects  xvi. 

Questions  on  faith  .....       139 — 81 

ADVERTISEMENT  to  the  Reader         .  .  .       xxxi— ii 

APPLICANTS  for  Membership,  how  admitted         212—29,  300—1 
QUESTIONS    TO  ALL   APPLICANTS    not 

converted  through  this  Church  .       213 — 29 

ATONEMENT.     See  Mediation        39—43,  82—7,  48—50,  287—8 
ANTICHRIST— not  confined  to  Roman  Catholics— The  true 

antichrist  in  the  language  of  the  Apostle  .  {)irll6 — 18 

ASSURANCE— See  Infallible  Assurance,  Index. 
AMUSEMENTS   ......  239 

ANGEL  of  h\s  presence,  or  Eternal  Image  of  the  Son     .         .       73 
{fCr  See  Errata  at  the  end  of  this  Index  x 

BAPTISM,  water — Why  permitted — The  manner     45—6,  95 — 170 
The  true  and  saving  Baptism         15,  19,  45 — b',  95,  170 
BELIEF— How  to  be  understood  38—40,  258—60,  159—60 

BEGGING — Church  begging,  and  collections  at  meetings  for 

worship,  not  allowed — Expenses  how  met  .         231 — 4 

CHURCH  of  the  Eternal  Son — Its  organization  and  govern- 
ment ......     130—241 

COMMUNION,  the  outward  and  the  Spiritual  46—50,  97—9, 

171—4,  268—70 
The  sinful  misapplication  of  the  outward  com- 
munion ....         173 — 4 


IV  INDEX  OF  PRINCIPAL  SUBJECTS. 

Page 
COMMANDMENTS,  The  Ten— How  adopted  by  this  Church  282—5 
CONVICTION  AND  REPENTANCE      .  .  160—161,264—5 

CONVERSION— See  Regeneration  or  the  New  Birth,  Index. 
CONFERENCES,  and  meetings  of  business        .  .         136—7 

CREED.     See  the  subject.  Articles  of  Faith,  Index. 
CLASS-MEETINGS— Official  leading  men  not  allowed        99—301 
COLLEGES — Conclaves  of  official  leading  men — Hired  pews, 

or  select  seats,  not  allowed  .  .  .        232 — 6 

DECLARATION  OF  MEMBERSHIP,  and  Blanks  for  signa- 
tures ......  409 

DEGENERACY  of  the  Churches— Causes  thereof  .  31,38 

DEVIL  AND  DEVILS— They  are  creaturely     .         91—3,  177—8 
DISTINCT  UNION— Its  falsity.     See  Hypostatical  Union,  Index. 

ETERNAL  SONSHIP— proved     .         31—43,9:^55—71,72-91, 

106—13,114—29,139—57.     See  TEST  Question  I.  214 

ETERNAL  GENERATION  of  the  Son  of  God  elucidated    242—4 

ELECT — they  cannot  be  seduced,  or  deceived,  nor  perish  228,  279, 

See  Question  on  Assurance  of  Eternal  Life  165 — 6 

FAITH—"  It  is  the  gift  of  God,"  and  not  an  act  of  the  crea- 
ture—Miraculous Faith  19—20,  158—60,  226,  258—61 
PRAYER  OF  FAITH.     It  saves  or  cures  the  sick  93 

GOD  :— He  is  Triune.    His  proper  name  is  JESUS  .        55—71 

See  Articles  of  Faith,  I.  II.  III.,  .  .  72—5 

See  Questions  one  to  six,      139 — 48.     llustrations,  242 — 4 

GOD— He  has  a  spiritual  "  Body  and  parts"  .        81—2,  121—3 

How  he  "  veiled"  himself     3:5=-108— 11,  123—4,  95=247—9 

GOD  DIED — He   became  Man    and   passible,  suffered,  and 

died — His  temptations,  and  hoiv  he  died  explained  41, 

124—6,  9:5-  145—6,  248—9,  9:^-256—8 

GIFTS— Spiritual  and  Miraculous,  14—6,  19—20,  157—8,258—61 

GENERATION  ETERNAL— Or  Eternal  Generation       242,  55—6 

HALLS  FOR  WORSHIP  .  .  .  .  .        233—7 

Engraved  plan  of  the  Halls  .  .  .  304 

HYxMNS  AND  CHORUSES  ....    306—408 


INDEX  OF  PRINCIPAL  SUBJECTS.  V 

Page 
«  HUMANITY"  OF  JESUS.     (See  the  next  article,  HYPO- 
STATICAL  UNION.)— He  was  ALTOGETHER  DI- 
VINE        .  80,  214—16,  9:5=244—55,  295—8,  301—3 
HYPOSTATICAL  UNION,  or  the  doctrine  of  two  distinct 

natures  in  the  person  of  the  Lord  Jesus — its  falsity        34 — 5, 
65—9,  95^103—4,  111—12,  115—19,  gO=121— 2, 
Its  extreme  absurdity — Clarke — Edwards  .  9Cr250 — 3 

«' HUMILIATION"  OF  JESUS— His  expressions  of  «  humi- 
liation" and  submission  explained       63 — 4,  77 — 8,  119 — 21, 

140,  254—5 
HAND  OF  GOD,  OR  "  THE  RIGHT  HAND  OF  GOD"— This 

and  the  Intercession  explained       .  84 — 5,  112 — 13,  221 

HEATHEN— Their  condition       .  .  .      271—2,222—3 

INFALLIBLE  ASSURANCE,  of  Eternal  Life  17—18,  94—5, 

165—6,  265—72,  95=277—8 
INTERCESSION— How  understood,  and  how  Jesus  sits  for- 
<'  ever"  at  the  right  hand  o^ God,  {which  is  his  Power,) 
even  while  he  appeared  to  Saul  of  Tarsus,  and  to  Saint 
John,  at  the  Isle  of  Patmos  .  82—7,112—13,221 

9:5°  See  Note  in  Table  of  Contents,  chap,  iv.,  subject, 

Arguments.       .....  xvii — xviii 

JESUS — The  proper  name  of  God,  which  he  calls  ^' my  new 

name.''     See  Articles  of  Faith,  one  to  eleven       72 — 91 
His  Holy  Names  in  the  Old  and  New  Testaments, 

given  by  comparison    ....         245 — 7 
He  is  the  true  and  only  God,  the  Eternal  Son,  and 

Divine  Image,  which  "  was  made  flesh""  .         55 — 71 

See  pages  .         106—13,  114—29,  139—57, 242—58 

No  man  can  see  "  his  glorious  body,"  and  live  76 

He  was  in  heaven  and  upon  earth  at  the  same  time        107 

See  Heaven  and  the  Throne  of  God  .  .         175 — 6 

JEHOVAH,  The  "  First  and  the  Last,"  died  on  the  cross      60—62 

See  Article  IV.,        .....         75—6 

He  died  by  a  separation  of  his  *'  SOUL,"  Isa.  xLii.  i, 

from  the  veil,  his  flesh  242—4,  95=247—9 

JUSTIFICATION— Or  pardon  from  sin,  not  the  New  Birth      94—5 

See  Regeneration  or  the  New  Birth,  Index. 
JUSTICE— How  Divine  justice  was  satisfied        .  .        287—8 


Tl  INDEX  OF  PRINCIPAL  SUBJECTS. 

Page 
KINGDOM  OF  GOD— It  belongs  to  "  the  Dear  Son ;"  it  is  his 
"  Th?-one,"  and  is  omnipresent — He  will  never  resign 
or  give  it  up     .  .  .  90—91,175—6,275—6 

KINGDOM  OF  GOD  AND  OF  HEAVEN— It  is  within  the 

souls  of  the  Regenerated  also  .        87,  221,  274—5,  298—9, 
See  Hymns         ....  344—83 

LAW — "  The  Law  and  the  Prophets  were  until  John."  Jesus 

fulfilled  and  ended  the  prophecies  .         174—5,  290,  294 

LORD'S  PRAYER— How  to  be  understood    .         102,  222,  187—8 

LOVE.     See  PERFECT  LOVE,  or  Sanctification,  Index. 

LUKEWARM  members,  if  habitually  so,  are  suspended  from 

membership — God's  abhorrence  of  such         100,  163,  203 — 4 

MEDIATION,  ATONEMENT,  AND  INTERCESSION— 
God  "by  himself  purged  our  sins."  Heb.  i.  3;  Isa. 
Lxiii.  5.  He  mediated  "  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself," 
Heb.  ix.  26,  between  us,  and  the  penalty  of  death — 
*'  the  Curse,"  and  "  the  Wrath" — and  thus  satisfied 
his  own  Divine  Justice  .  82—7,  148—50,  287—8 

MEETINGS  FOR  WORSHIP— How  conducted      51—3,  201—12, 

229—31 
How  the  services  are  opened,  and  closed         208 — 10 
^fCr  See  Note,  Table  of  Contents,  Chap.  IX.  Part  3d    xxiii 
MEETING-Houses— See  Halls  for  worship.  Index. 
MEMBERS — "Must  be  born  again,"  John  iii.  7.     For  the 
TEST,  see  Questions  to  all  applicants — 

No.  XVII   ....  222 

Must  believe  that  the  "  Man  Jesus  is  Eter- 
nal as  a  Son  ;"  for  the  TEST  of  this  belief, 
see  Questions  to  all  Applicants,  I.  to  VI.  215 — 16 
Are    admitted    as  MINORS — At   what   age 

allowed  a  voice     .  .  .  212 — 13 

All  have  an  equal  voice  by  ballot  and  repre- 
sentation ....  137,232 
THREE  male  members  signing  the  Declara- 
tion of  membership,  page  409,  may  begin  a 
church,  and  add  male  and  female  mem- 
bers .....  130 
THIRTEEN  male  members  may  OFFI- 
CIALLY organize— The  manner    .  130—1 


INDEX  OF  PRINCIPAL  SUBJECTS.  VII 

Page 
MEMBERS — Must  all  expect  to  be  questioned  and  coun- 
seled on  matters  of  Faith  and  Doctrine  by 
the  Chief,  State,  and  Local  OVERSEERS 
— All  whowilfullydepar^from  the  doctrines 
declared  in  this  book  will  be  suspended 
from  membership         .         133,  194,  {):5=229— 31 

MILLENIUM— Not  literal  ....         179—80 

MINISTERS — They  support  themselves — Any  inspired  bro- 
ther may  travel 3.nd  preach — The  Gospel  rule  to  be  ob- 
served.    (See  1  Cor.  xiv.  30-32)      51— a,  99—100, 196—200 
MINISTRY— How  regulated    ....         196—200 
MINISTERS  AND  LAYMEN  OF  OTHER  CHURCHES— 

Their  privileges     ....         101—2,  208—9 
NATURES — Doctrine  of  two  distinct  natures  in  the  Person 
of  Jesus  untenable.     See  Hypostatical  Union,  Index. 
NATURAL  REASON— Called  "  the  natural  man,"  it  know- 

eth  not  the  Holy  Spirit  .  .  20—23,  161—5,  271—2 

ONLY-BEGOTTEN  SON— There  is  no  other  .        61,  265—6 

ORIGINAL  SIN— Explained— How  it  originated         .  262—3 

OVERSEERS— The  Chief  Overseer  or  Elder— His  duty  131—6 

The  State  Overseers— Their  duty     .  193 — 6 

The  Local  Overseers  of  individual  churches, 

—Their  duty  ....        229—33 

ORDINATION,  and  Doctrinal  Questions  to  Candidates        137—181 

PRAYER.   For  the  general  form  of,  see  Ordination-Prayer     182—8 
This   prayer   exemplifies   the   doctrines  of  this 
church,  and  the  general  form  of  words  to  be 
used  when  supplicating  "  the  Almighty."   See 
Rev.  i.  8. 
PRAYER  MEETINGS— ^/ways  follow  the  first  services      201—2 
See  Note  in  Table  of  Contents  Chap.  9th,  Part  3d  xxiii 

PREDESTINATION 278—81 

PERFECTION— Christian,  or  Sanctification  163,  268—9,  299 

PERFECT  LOVE,  or  Sanctification,  more  fully  explained  270 

PATRIARCHS  AND  PROPHETS  OF  OLD—None  ascended 

to  heaven  before  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  166 — 7,  273 — 6 
PROBATIONERS— Not  received  in  this  Church  99—100,  203—4 
PRODIGAL  SON— Parable  expl  ined    ...  300 


VIU  INDEX  OF  PRINCIPAL  SUBJECTS. 

Page 

QUESTIONS— To  Candidates  for  Ordination     .  .        139—81 

For  division  of  subjects,  see  Table  of  Contents  xx — xxi 

SHORT  QUESTIONS   TO   ALL   APPLICANTS   for 

membership  not  regenerated  or  converted  in  this 

Church 214—29 

REGENERATION,  OR  THE  NEW  BIRTH— How  to  be  ob- 
tained   ......  24—30 

It  is  an  immutable  and  INSTANTANEOUS   act  of 

God's  mercy      .  94—5,  05=160—6,  265—72,  298—9 

See  Justification,  Index. 
REJOICING  AND  PRAISE— Must  never  be  suppressed  ;  but 
we  say  to  all  "  Cry  out  and  shout,  thou  inhabitant  of 
ZION,  for  great  is  the  HOLY  ONE  of  Israel  in  the  midst 
of  thee."  Isa.  xii.  6.  See  18—19,  127—9,  90=161—3, 

9ir210— 11,  225—6,  268—70 
REVELATION  —  Immediate    revelation    from    Jesus    the 

*'  Wonderful  Counsellor"  now  attainable  .        21—23,  98—9 
RESURRECTION— The  general,  and  the  last  judgment        91,  169 
ROMAN  CATHOLICS— They  deny  "  an  immediate  light  and 
motion  of  God's  Spirit  communicated  to  the  indivi- 
dual."   Remarks  .....        48—60 

[See  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Milner's  End  of  Religious  Contro- 
Tersy.    Letter  6,  page  20.] 

SON  OF  GOD — He  had  no  beginning,  and  is  one  of  the  Eter- 
nal Holy  Trinity       31—43,  74—5,  139—40,  242—4,  295—8 
See  Eternal  Sonship,  Index. 

SANCTIFICATION.     See  Perfection,  and  Perfect  Love,  Index. 

SACRAMENTS.     See  Communion,  Index. 

SINGING — Must  be  with  animation,  and  without  choirs     100 — 101, 

404 

SERVANT— How  Jehovah,  The  First  and  the  "  Last,  took 

upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant"  87—8,  242—3,  247—8 

SOUL  OF  JESUS— It  had  no  beginning  nor  genealogy     95=142—4 
See  87—90,  101—216,  242—4,  247 

SCRIPTURES,  THE  HOLY,  178—80,  198—200,  226—7,  288—95 
The  Old  Testament  confirmed  by  the  saying  of  Jesus  290 — 1 
Eternal  Life  not  to  be  found  in  the  Old  Testament       293—4 


. 

199,291- 

-3 

See 

Note, 

Table 

xxix — 

XXX 

. 

239- 

-40 

237 

-9 

ion 

295— 

303 

ned 

270 

— 1 

INDEX  OF  PRINCIPAL  SUBJECTS.  IX 

Page 
SCRIPTURES,  Errors  in  punctuation,  &c.,  have  "  wrested" 
the  sense — The  remedy 
Only  understood  "  by  the  Spirit." 
of  Contents,  Chap.  XIII.,  par.  8, 
SUNDAY  SCHOOLS— How  conducted 
SLAVERY,  War,  Oaths,  Amusements 
SUMMARY  OF  THE  BOOK,  and  Conclusion 
«  STRAIT  GATE  and  narrow  way"  explained 

TRINITY,  the  Holy— Jesus  is  the  only  TRI-UNITY      55—71,  74, 

139—40,  141—57 
THRONE  OF  GOD— Explained        .  .  175—6,  106—7 

TEMPERANCE,  Dress,  &c.  ....         241 

TABLE  OF  CONTENTS,  or  a  brief  synopsis  of  the  whole 

work      ......  xi — XXX 

UNBELIEVERS— In  the  Eternity  and  Divinity  of  the  Son  of 

God  as  a  Son  .  .  .  .  .  102--5 

Including  Unitarians,  or  Socinians,  Arians, 
Clarke-ites,  Hicks-ites,  Swedenborg- 
ians,  &c.     Remarks  .  .  lb. 

VOICE  OF  GOD— /if  is  now  heard.—''  Other  sheep  I  have," 
(saith  Jesus,")  "  which  are  not  of  this  fold" — "  they  shall 
hear  my  voice>'>       .  .        18—23,  44—5,  98—9,  171—2 

WAR 238—9 

WILL — The  will  of  man  is  free — Yet  it  has  no  natural  im- 
pulses to   conversion — Conversion  is  an  operation  of 
the  Holy  Ghost  against  the  natural  will  .         280—1,  264—5 
The  natural  will  and  natural  reason  are  blind — They 

are  <'  at  enmity"  against  God  and  the  new  birth    161 — 5 
WORSHIP— How  conducted         .  .        51—53,  201—12,  301 

WORK— Our  main  work    .  .  180,  163—5,  158,  13—14 

WORKMEN — Effectual  workmen,  and  living  members  con- 
stitute the  efficacy  of  a  church       .  .  .         234 — 5 
WOMEN— Their  church  privileges          .             .             .99,  202 
WEDDING-garment— None  can  enter  the  kingdom  of  God 

without  it    .  .  .  .  .  275—6,  163 

WRATH  OF  GOD— It  is  not  a  motion  in  the  Divine  mind— 

This  subject  explained       .  .  .       285—8,  177—8 


ERRATA. 


ERRATA. 


For  Thirdly,  page  14,  read  Fourthly. 

For  Address  to  the  Seekers,  page  53,  read  Invitation  and  Address 

Read  who  was  crucified,  page  17,  as  a  parenthesis  wherever  it 
occurs  in  this  connection.  It  must  be  thus  marked  in  the  second 
edition. 

The  paragraphs  in  Chap.  IV.,  page  134,  are  improperly  numbered. 
They  should  be  1,2,  &c.,  instead  of  6,  6. 

For  Ez.  xxxiii.  20,  Chap.  V.,  page  76,  read  Ex.  or  Exodus. 

The  Chapter,  page  212,  should  be  X.  instead  of  IX.,  and  the  fol- 
lowing Chapters  (in  this  part),  altered  to  suit. 

At  the  end  of  paragraph  38,  page  123,  add  (see  Note,  Table  of 
Contents,  page  XVI.)  Also  between  the  words  *'  at  home  early," 
aud  "  during  the  seasons,"  paragraph  36,  page  210,  add  (See  Note, 
Table  of  Conteuts,  page  XXIII.)  Also  at  the  end  of  Question  VIII., 
page  218,  add,  (see  Explanatory  note  on  page  XXIV,  Table  of  Con- 
tents.) Also  in  Question  XVII.,  page  222,  after  the  words  When 
did  it  take  place  .^  add  the  words  [and  where?]  in  the  second  edition 
of  this  book. 

In  Article  II.,  page  73,  between  the  words  "  He  pre-existed,"  and 
the  words  "  and  after  which  image,"  insert  in  the  second  edition 
of  this  work  the  following  words — and  which  is  called  by  the  pro- 
phet ('<  the  Angel  of  his  PRESENCE,"  Isa.  Lxiii.  9,)  which  appeared 
to  Moses  on  the  Mount.  (Gen.  xxxiii.  18,  23.) 

Insert  on  page  397,  (by  making  two  lines  of  the  5th  chorus.  Glory, 
&c.,)  the  following  chorus  in  the  second  edition  of  this  work. 
0  hallelujah  !  grace  is  free. 
There's  enough  for  you,  and  enough  for  me, 
There's  enough  forevermore  ! 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS, 

OR  A  BRIEF  SYNOPSIS  OF  THE  WHOLE  WORK. 


NOTE  TO  THE  READER. — Thi:  page,  in  connection  with  each 
Chapter  in  this  volume,  is  given  in  the  following  Table  of  Contents, 
as  follows:  "CHAPTER  I,  PAGE  17."  Also  the  paragraphs  in 
each  chapter  are  given ,  by  which  arrangement  any  chapter,  paragraph, 
or  clause  in  the  book  can  be  found  immediately. 


INTRODUCTION. 

Introduction. — Christ  has  chosen  us  ;  he  says,  "  ye  have  not  chosen 
me,  but  I  have  chosen  you."  We  are  commanded  "  to  bring  forth 
fruit,"  and  to  nourish  it.  The  chief  object  of  this  church  described. 
All  the  Apostolical  Gifts  are  now  attainable  by  a  true  belief  in  Jesus. 
Demonstrated  from  Scripture.  The  salvation  of  souls  is  our  only 
object. 


PART   FIRST. 

INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

CHAPTER  I.     Page  17. 

Paragraph  1.  Invitation  and  Address  to  the  "  Children  of  God," 
and  all  sincere  inquirers  after  truth.  2,  3.  The  children  of  God  are 
heirs  of  salvation,  and  "  shall  never  fall,"  and  "  shall  never  per- 


Xll  CONTENTS. 

ish,"  proved,  4,  5.  An  invitation  to  come  out  from  among  unbe- 
lievers. Causes  for  so  doing.  6,  7.  The  Gentiles  are  partakers  of 
the  various  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  We  as  Gentiles  are  included 
in  the  promises.  8.  Gifts  enumerated.  9.  How  attainable.  10. 
Invitation — Christian  liberty  to  obey  the  impulses  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
without  control — Methodists. 


CHAPTER  II.     Page  21. 

1.  The  "gifts"  and  "operations"  of  the  Holy  Spirit  have  in  all 
ages  been  practically  maintained.  2.  Since  the  Reformation,  there 
have  been  testimony  bearers  to  all  the  gifts.  3,  4.  The  immediate 
and  especial  voice  of  God.  5,  6.  The  world — that  is,  theunregene- 
rated,  whether  in  or  out  of  the  churches,  are  entirely  ignorant  of 
this  voice.  7,  S.  The  world,  (if  not  under  the  class  of  reprobates,) 
have  the  universal  "  Grace  of  God,"  operating  on  their  consciences, 
but,  saith  Jesus,  "  the  Spirit  of  Truth  the  world  cannot  receive,  be- 
cause it  seeth  him  not,  neither  knoweth  him.'^  9,  10.  Appeal  to  the 
children  of  God,  whether  in  or  out  of  the  churches,  to  unite  toge- 
ther with  us  as  "  one  heart  and  one  soul." 


CHAPTER  III.     PAGE  24.      ' 
ADDRESS  TO  THE  SEEKERS. 

1.  Sincerity  a  pre-requisite.  The  condition  of  the  sincere  seeker 
described.  2,  3.  Christ  loved  us  while  we  were  yet  sinners.  4,  5. 
Doubts  and  fears — Desires  to  know  the  truth.  6,  7.  Original  sin,  or 
innate  corruption — Outward  morality  and  honesty.  8,  9.  Secret 
misgivings.  10.  Gospel  sympathy.  11,12.  The  gulf  of  perdition — 
The  joy  of  those  who  have  passed  over  it.  13.  Jesus  is  our  deli- 
verer— his  safe  protection.  14-19.  The  way  oP  escape  from  perdi- 
tion— Origin  of  doubts  and  fears — The  Hindoo,  the  Mahometan,  and 
Roman  Catholic  all  die  alike  without  doubts  and  fears — The  appli- 
cation— The  promises — Jesus  saith  "  he  that  cometh  to  ME,  shall 
never  hunger,  nor  thirst."  20-29.  Remedy  for  a  weak  faith — How 
to  obtain  power  to  pray — Doubts  of  the  Divinity  or  Eternity  of  the 
SON  of  God  removed  when  a  man  receives  the  Holy  Ghost — The  joys 
of  the  blessed  in  this  life — The  soul  that  is  blessed, calls  JESUS  Lord, 
from  the  immediate  impulses  of  the  Holy  Spirit— Jesus  the  Life  and 
Salvation  of  the  soul.  30-35.  The  "  gulf"  of  perdition — Love  of  the 
convert  for  immortal  souls,  and  for  the  brethren — How  a  man  deli- 
berately calls  Jesus  a  liar,  and  the  consequences — Blasphemy 
against  the  Holy  Ghost — Hope  for  all  who  have  not  thus  blasphemed. 

CHAPTER  IV.     PAGE  31. 

CONTINUATION  OF  THE  ADDRESS  TO  THE  CHILDREN  OF  GOD. 

1.  Degeneracy  of  all  the  churches — Spiritual  dryness — Causes 
thereof.    2.  The  Stumbling-stone.     3-6.  Questions  to  be  put  unto 


CONTENTS.  Xlll 


professors  of  religion — the  faithless  reply.     7,  8.  Most  professors 
Arians  or  Socinians  at  heart — The  reason. 


CHAPTER  V.    Page  33. 

1.  Unbelief  in  the  Laity  mainly  attributable  to  the  want  of  true 
belief  in  the  Clergy,  as  Pastors  or  Teachers.  2,  4.  The  ground  of 
this  unbelief  shown  under  six  heads.  5-7.  The  hypostatical  error 
of  two  distinct  natures — Scriptural  arguments  thereon. 

CHAPTER  VI.    Page  35. 

1.  The  fearful  degeneracy  of  the  churches  caused  by  unbelief  in 
the  Eternity  of  the  MAN  Jesus,  the  Son  of  God,  as  a  Son.  2.  Or- 
thodoxy not  orthodox.  3,  4.  The  Eternal  Son  became  poor  in 
the  form  of  a  servant,  and  actually  suffered.  5.  The  Prophet 
Isaiah's  definition  of  the  Son  of  God,  (now  called  by  professors 
"  the  Humanity.")  6,  7.  The  Son  one  of  the  Eternal  Holy  Trinity  AS 
A  SON — His  atonement — Our  final  judge.  S,  9.  The  Eternity  of 
his  Reign  and  Kingdom — He  is  Jehovah  and  the  Light  of  the  Holy 
City  New  Jerusalem,  and  of  Eternity.  10,  11.  He  is  unchange- 
ably the  same,  and  to  be  "  honored"  and  "  worshipped,"  being  the 
one  only  God. 

CHAPTER  VIL     Page  38. 

1.  No  man  CAN  say  that  Jesus  is  the  Lord,  hat  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 
2-15.  Summary  of  the  doctrines  and  arguments  on  the  Eternal 
Sonship.  Firstly,  the  MAN  JESUS  is  the  very  Eternal  Son. 
Secondly,  he  is  our  immediate  and  only  Saviour.  Thirdly,  he  is 
'<  THE  TRUE  GOD."  Fourthly,  he,  "  the  True  God,"  mediated 
"  by  himself"  between  Man  and  the  penalty  of  eternal  death,  and 
the  wrath  in  the  curse.  Fifthly,  "  God  was  made  flesh."  Sixth- 
ly, the  Son  was  omnipresent,  and  in  heaven  whilst  upon  earth. 
Seventhly,  when  Jesus  the  Eternal  Son  of  God  died  on  the  cross,  the 
whole  Trinity  died  with  him.  Eighthly,  the  way  in  which  the  Triune 
God  died.  Ninthly.  God  suffered.  Tenthly.  He  became  man 
through  the  line  of  David,  according  to  THE  FLESH,  [but  not  ac- 
cording to  the  soul  or  spirit.  See  pages  242-4  ]  He  abolished  all  the 
'*  Law  of  Commandments  contained  in  ordinances." — He  voluntarily 
laid  down  his  life  "  by  himself,"  and  saved  us,  without /ie/p  or  aid 
from  any,  but  "  by  himself  purged  our  sins." — His  resurrection, 
ascension,  and  glorification.  To  his  reign  and  kingdom,  "there 
shall  be  no  end." 

CHAPTER  VIII.     Page  43. 

1.  The  general  Resurrection,  and  the  last  judgment. — Jesus, 
"  the  Son  of  Man,"  our  final  judt'e. — Eternal  Life  and  eternal  pun- 
ishment.    2,  Justification  is  by  faith  and  the  merits  of  Jesus  alone. 


XIV  CONTENTS. 

3.  Full  redemption  from  original  sin  attainable  during  this  life.  4. 
The  Holy  Ghost  is  now  obtainable,  as  in  the  days  of  the  Apostles. 
5,  6.  The  Holy  Ghost  is  now  an  unerring  guide  and  counsellor,  as 
from  the  beginning,  proved  from  several  texts. — The  Holy  Trinity 
of  Persons  proved.     7.  Sanctity  of  life. 

CHAPTER  IX.    Page  45. 

1.  Water  baptism  permitted  in  this  church,  but  not  essential  to 
salvation.  2.  It  sustains  the  doctrine  of  the  Holy  Trinity.  3.  Not 
sustained  by  this  church  as  an  Ordinance.  The  reasons.  We  bap- 
tize "IN  THE  NAME  of  THE  LORD  JESUS,"  as  did  the  Apos- 
tles. The  form  of  Baptism.  4-6.  The  subject  of  the  OM^U'ord  com- 
munion of  bread  and  wine  introduced. — Jesus  declares,  "  I  am  the 
Bread  of  Life" — also,"  he  that  eateth  me  shall  live  by  me."  7.  We 
cannot,  as  a  church,  partake  of  the  outward  elements.  8,  9.  Rea- 
sons from  the  Scriptures.  10.  Sincere  seekers,  who  are  not  born 
again,  but  servants  of  God  only,  may  consistently  partake  of  the 
outward  elements,  11-17.  Remarks  on  the  Roman  Catholic  Church 
— They  place  tradition  above  the  Bible — They  deny  "  an  imme- 
diate light  and  viotion  of  God's  Spirit"  to  be  contmunicated  to  an 
individual  or  to  the  soul — They  deny  all  that  Jesus  died  for,  and  that 
is,  that  we  might  be  redeemed  from  the  law  of  commandments,  BY 
THE  GIFT  OF  THE  HOLY  GHOST.— They  have  substituted 
Auricular  confession  and  a  priest's  absolution  for  the  living  opera- 
tions of  the  Spirit,  all  of  which  is  proved  from  their  own  books. 
18.  All  the  churches  which  deny  the  immediate  gift  of  the  Hoiy 
Ghost,  as  in  the  days  of  the  Apostles,  may  partake  of  the  outward 
elements.  19,20.  Further  reasons — the  joys  of  the  ^'blessed"  in 
this  life,  when  eating  of  "  the  bread  of  life." 

CHAPTER  X.     Page  51. 

1.  The  sons  of  God  are  "led  by  the  Spirit  of  God."  2-6.  Pro- 
phesying, exhortation  and  preaching — Their  nature,  and  how  con- 
ducted. 7-9.  On  the  manifestation  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  power  in 
our  meetings.  All  exercises,  at  such  periods,  must  be  confined  to 
the  conversion  of  souls — Tedious  speakers  rebuked  ;  see  paragraph 
14,  page  301. — 10,  12.  The  true  way  of  conducting  a  meeting 
pointed  out. 


CONTENTS.  XV 

PART   SECOND. 
DECLARATION  OF  FAITH. 

CHAPTER  I.     PAGE  54. 

INTRODUCTION. 

1.  Rule  of  faith.  The  necessity  of  a  rule  of  faith.  2.  Its  appli- 
cation to  members,  and  to  those  who  apply  for  membership.  3.  Its 
application  to  offenders  in  our  own  body,  and  their  suspension  from 
membership. 

CHAPTER  II.     Page  55. 

TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

This  Church  shall  be  called  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  ETERNAL 
SON.  And  there  shall  be  no  alteration  or  amendment  made  to  the 
Title,  nor  to  the  following  explanation  of  the  Title  of  the  Church. 

EXPLANATION  OF  THE  TITLE.    Page  55. 

1,2.  The  Son  was  eternally  begotten,  and  existed  at  the  same  eternal 
instant  with  the  Father.  3.  His  knowledge  equally  eternal  with 
the  Father's.  His  doings  or  acts  equally  eternal  with  the  Father's 
acts.  4.  His  name  is  also  "the  Everlasting  Father,"  and  one  with 
him.  5.  He  is  the  Father  a/so— proved.  6.  His  IDENTITY  the 
same  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost.  7-9.  The  Omnipotence, 
Omniscience,  and  Omnipresence  of  the  Man  Christ  Jesus — proved. 
10-12.  The  SON  is  the  Eternal  Image  and  Person  of  the  Father  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  is  the  only  God,  and  Maker  of  all  things — 
proved.  He  received  Divine  worship  and  approved  of  it  as  his  right. 
13.  He  is  the  only  potentate,  proved  from  Scripture  (as  we  establish 
all  our  doctrines).  14.  l{\%  Kingdom  and  Reign  w'\\\  have  no  end, 
demonstrated.  15-27.  From  the  declaration  of  Jesus,  that  there  is 
hut  '<  ONE  GOD,"  who  is  also  "  ONE  LORD,"  and  other  Scriptures, 
we  clearly  demonstrate  in  these  paragraphs  that  Jesus  Christ  of 
Nazareth  who  suffered  and  died  for  us  on  Mount  Calvary  is  that  One 
Lord,  and  One  God,  and  that  there  is  no  God  besides  him.  2S.  Jesus 
is  the  Word  of  God,  which  Word  died.  29.  Jehovah  and  Jesus  the 
Son  *'  are  one"  in  identity  30.  Note. — His  expressions  of  sub7nis- 
sion  or  obedience  to  the  Father,  how  to  be  understood.  31-33.  The 
pre-existence  of  Jesus,  the  son  of  the  Father,  further  demonstrated. 
34,  35.  The  doctrine  of  two  DISTINCT  natures  in  the  person  of 
Jesus.  That  is,  one  nature  which  suffered,  and  one  nature  which  did 
not  and  could  not  suffer,  refuted.  It  falsely  makes  two  DISTINCT 
Sons.     36,  37.  Jesus  of  Nazareth  the  SON  of  God,  who  was  born 


XVI  CONTENTS. 

of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  is  called  by  Dr.  Adam  Clarke  in  his 
Commentaries,  and  by  all  Socinians  and  Unitarians  (in  all  their 
grades),  <<  the  Humanity."  They  maintain  that  he  is  not  the 
"  Mighty  God,"  "  but  inferior  to  him."  38-41.  Dr.  Adam  Clarke's 
apostacy  from  Methodism,  and  the  truths  of  the  Holy  Bible.  His 
commentaries  on  St.  Luke's  Gospel.  He  denies  that  JESUS  the 
SON  and  "  HOLY  ONE,"  is  Divine  and  Eternal  as  a  Son.  He  says 
**the  doctrine  of  the  eternal  Sonship  is  antiscriptural,  and  highly  dan- 
gerous."" These  false  doctrines  refuted.  42-44.  Jesus  the  Eternal 
Son  who  suffered  and  died  on  Mount  Calvary  is  the  express  and  Eter- 
nal Image  of  God.  And  although  there  are  three  persons  named  in 
the  Godhead,  yet  there  are  not  three  images — proved.  45,  46. 
Jesus  the  man  vvho  died  for  us  was  worshipped  before  and  after  his 
resurrection,  and  before  his  ascension,  and  approved  of  it:  he  there- 
fore must  be  god.  47.  Jesus  will  be  our  final  Judge  when  all  will 
see  and  learn  that  HE  is  the  "  only  potentate."  48.  The  SUM- 
MARY and  conclusion  of  the  Explanation  of  the  Title. 

CHAPTER  in.     PAGES  72—113. 

ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND  DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  ETEK- 

NAL  SON. 

Article  L—'<  The  True  God."— Jesus  Christ  of  Nazareth  "IS 
THE  TRUE  GOD."    1  John  v.  20. 

Art.  II. — His  oneness. 

Art.  III.— His  Godhead  or  Trinity. 

Art.  IV. — The  Omnipotence,  Identity,  and  Oneness  of  Jesus  with 
the  Lord  Jehovah. 

Art.  V. — No  man  can  see  the  unveiled  Glory  of  Jesus,  and  live. 

Art.  VI. — His  Incarnation. 

Art.  VII. — "  The  True  God^^  became  passible,  or  suffered. 

Art.  VIIL— The  Man  Christ  Jesus  is  "  the  Lord  God  of  the  Holy 
Prophets."     Rev.  xxii.  6. 

Art.  IX. — The  "  Image,"  "  Person,"  or  "  Likeness"  of  God. 

Art.  X. — On  the  Mediation,  Atonement,  and  Intercession. 

Art.  XI. — On  the  pre-existence  of  the  Soul  of  Christ. 

Art.  XII. — The  Reign  of  Jesus  the  SON  is  Eternal,  "  and  will  have 
no  end."     Luke  i.  33. 

Art.  XIII. — On  the  Resurrection,  and  Creaturely  Devils. 

Art.  XIV. — On  God's  Foreknowledge  or  Decrees. 

Art.  XV. — "  With  God  all  things  are  possible." 

Art.  XVI. — On  Justification  and  the  New  Birth. 

Art.  XVII.— On  Water  Baptism. 

Art.  XVIII. — The  Protestant  or  Roman  Catholic  Sacraments  of 
Bread  and  Wine,  not  applicable  to  the  Regenerated  Children  of  God. 

Art.  XIX. — On  the  Spiritual  Communion  of  Jesus  in  the  Soul, 
(which  is  the  true  Sacrament.) 

Art.  XX. — Our  Preachers. 

Art.  XXI. — Clergy  or  Laity  of  other  Churches. 

Art.  XXII. — Unbelievers  in  the  Eternity  and  Divinity  of  Jesus 
the  SON  of  God,  AS  A  SON. 

Art.  XXIII.— JESUS  CANNOT  BE  LIMITED. 


CONTENTS.  .    XVll 


CHAPTER  IV.    PAGE  114. 


ARGUMENTS. 


Further  arguments  from  the  Holy  Scriptures  which  prove  that 
*'  Jesiis  of  Nazareth, ^^  who  was  crucified,  is  the  Eternal  Son,  and  the 
ONE  ONLY  GOD,  in  heaven  or  in  earth,  and  besides  him,  there  is 
no  God.     Isa.  xLiv.  6. 

1-5.  Jesus  the  Eternal  Son  eternally  existed  in  an  image-like-form, 
and  not"  in  the  divine  mind,"  or  "  in  the  Father's  bosom"  only.  6-11. 
"  The  Son  of  Man,''''  and  "  the  Son  of  God'''  mean  the  same  Eternal 
Divine  being.  In  these  verses  the  Socinian  Heresy  adopted  by  all  Uni- 
tarians, and  promulgated  particularly  since  the  year  1600,  and  lately 
advocated  by  Dr.  Adam  Clarke  in  his  Commentaries,  is  refuted.  The 
Heresy  is  this,  that "  Jesus  Christ  AS  A  SON  had  no  existence  before 
he  was  conceived  and  born  of  the  Virgin  Marv,"  and  is  "  inferior"  as 
a  Son,  to  God.  12-14.  The  true  ANTICHRIST  defined  and  clearly 
proved  from  direct  quotations  from  Scripture.  No  sect  that  wor- 
ships Jesus,  "  the  true  God,"  is  the  antichrist — "Jesus  is  the  Christ,'^ 
and  *'  Christ  is  God,'^  proved.  15,  16.  Jesus  is  our  Father — proved. 
17,  18.  The  false  doctrine  of  two  whole  and  distinct  or  separate 
natures  in  the  person  of  Jesus,  called  by  the  schools  the  Hypostatical 
union,  introduced,  and  refuted  from  Scripture.  19-27.  The  "  HU- 
MILIATION" of  the  Eternal  Son  explained,  and  his  expressions  or 
sayings  according  to  his  eternal  right  as  God,  set  forth.  28.  Although 
nailed  to  the  Cross,  the  angelical  hosts  were  at  his  command.  29. 
He  died  groaning  in  agony,  yet  exercised  at  the  same  time  his  infi- 
nite j3tt7-flfon/ng- power,  being  God.  30-36.  The  doctrine  of  the  hypo- 
statical  union  of  two  distinct  natures  further  refuted  by  comparison 
with  several  records  of  the  Holy  Scriptures.  37,  38.  No  man  can 
look  upon  the  glorified  body  of  Jesus  and  live — His  appearance  to 
the  Apostles  after  his  resurrection  explained,  and  the  error  that 
God  is  "  without  body  or  parts,"  refuted — The  Intercession. 

[Note. — Jesus  declares,"  Hereafter  shall  ye  see  the  Son  of  Man 
sitting  at  the  Right  Hand  of  the  Power  of  God.'^  Luke  xxii.  19. 
Therefore  the  words  right  hand  of  God,  as  used  by  the  Apostle,  is  a 
figure  of  "  the  Power  of  God,"  and  does  not  mean,  as  professing 
Christendom  supposes,  that  JESUS, '<  the  HOLY  ONE,"  (see  Acts 
iii.  14,)  for  "  erer"  sits  at  the  right  hand  oC  another  God,  even  the 
Father,  somewhere  in  space,  making  intercession  for  us.  If  Jesus 
thus  literally  sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of  another  God,  then  the  in- 
tercession would  have  been  woefully  interrupted  ^.iihe  peculiar  crisis 
when  Saul  was  persecuting  the  church;  for  it  is  declared  in  Acts 
xiii.  17,  that  Jesus  personally  "  appeared"  to  Saul  of  Tarsus  on  his 
way  to  Damascus,  and  said,  "  I  am  Jesus  whom  thou  persecutest." 
According  to  the  doctrine  now  advocated  in  the  churches,  the  throne 
of  intercession  must  have  been  VACATED  or  empty,  when  our  Lord 
"  appeared"  in  his  glory  to  Saul,  and  particularly  so  when  he  visi- 
bly appeared  in  his  glorious  body,  and  held  the  long  interview  with 
Saint  John  on  the  Isle  of  Patmos,  and  gave  him  the  Revelation. 
The  truth  :s,  that  Jesus  begins  and  ends  the  work  ol  redemption  ^per- 


XVIU  CONTENTS. 

sonally  in  every  soul.  His  glorious  body  is  the  centre  of  his  Omni- 
presence and  Omnipotence;  he  declares,  "  for  where  two  or  three 
are  gathered  together  in  my  name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them  ;" 
consequently,  Jesus  must  be  everywhere.  See  the  subjects  Interces- 
sion,and  the  Throne  ofGod  explained  in  Article  Tenth,  pages  84-87, 
and  in  Article  XXIII.,  pages  112-13.  See  Question  XV.,  page  221.] 
9:5"  The  Notes  in  this  Table  shall  have  the  same  force  for  doctrine, 
&c.,  as  if  comprised  in  the  body  of  the  work. 

39.  When  God  became  man,  the  purpose  was  eternal,  therefore  he 
never  changed.  40.  The  Man,  Jesus,  was  "  in  heaven,"  and  omni- 
present when  upon  earth  ;  he  was  only  veiled.  41-44.  God  became 
passible,  and  suffered — He  died  by  a  separation  of  his  spirit  from  his 
body,  as  men  naturally  die.  45.  Jesus  is  "  without  Father,  without 
Mother,^'  according  to  the  flesh.  46-51.  He  "was  tempted  IN 
ALL  POINTS  like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin.''  His  expressions  on 
the  cross — "  My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me  ?"  is  one 
of  our  despairings,  and  therefore  necessary — This  explained — He 
is  '*  the  True  God,"  the  "  Rock  of  Ages,"  and  "  Ancient  of  Days." 
— He  is  all  "  Glorious  in  his  Apparel,"  and  cannot  be  looked  upon. 
52,  53.  We  worship  Jesus  because  "  all  the  angels"  and  the  "  Apos- 
tles" worshipped  him.  54,55.  We  worship  him  for  Redemption — for 
his  "  Kingdom"  "  wv7/im"  us.  56.  As  our  only  Righteousness.  57. 
For  his  Love.  58.  We  worship  him  from  his  ou'n  impulses.  59.  Be- 
cause he  fills  our  Souls  with  the  Holy  Ghost.  60,  61 .  And  when  Jesus 
is  in  our  "  midst,"  we  cry  out  and  shout  "  for  joy,"  as  the  Prophet 
declared,  Isaiah  xii.  1-6,  and  worship  him  with  a  loud  voice,  as 
the  whole  multitude  of  the  disciples  did  at  his  descent  of  the  Mount 
of  Olives.  62.  His  rebuke  to  the  Pharisees.  63,  64.  We  worship 
him  from  a  full  heart,  with  rapture,  thanksgiving,  and  praise — And 
sav,Thou  art  the  only  God.  65-67.  We  praise  Jesus  for  salvation. 
{For  there  is  none  in  any  other  name.)  And  cry  out  "  Honor  and 
Glory,  Might  and  Majesty,  Riches  and  Wisdom,  Omnipotence  and 
Omniscience,  and  Eternal  Dominion  belong  to  thee!"  68-72.  We 
praise  Jesus  with  David,  and  say,  "  Blessed  be  thou,  Lord  God  of 
Israel,  Our  Father,  forever  and  ever,"  and  cry  out  with  him,  "  Thine, 
O  Lord,  is  the  greatness,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory,  and  the  vic- 
tory, and  the  majesty:  and  all  that  is  in  heaven  and  in  earth  IS 
THINE.  Thine  is  the  Kingdom  ;  and  thou  art  exalted  above  all. 
Both  riches  and  honor  come  of  Thee.  And  thou  REIGNEST  OVER 
ALL."  1  Chron.  xxix.  10,  11,  12.  For  thou  only.  Lord  Jesus,  art 
our  WAY,  our  TRCJTH,  and  our  LIFE,  and  our  GOD,  henceforth 
and  forever.  Amen.     Hallelujah. 


CONTENTS.  XIX 


PART  THIKD. 
ON  THE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

CHAPTER  I.     PAGE  130. 

INTRODUCTION. 

1,  2,  3.  Our  Blessed  Lord  encourages  two  or  three  to  meet  in  his 
name. — He  declares,  "  Where  two  or  three  are  gathered  together  int 
MY  NAME,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them  ;"  therefore,  three  Re- 
generated male  persons,  embrac-ng  all  our  doctrines,  shall,  [hy 
signing  their  names  to  the  Declaration  of  Membership,  page  409,] 
constitute  an  inceptive  organization  of  a  Church,  but  shall  perform 
spiritual  duties  only.  They  may  add  male  and  female  members  to 
their  number  according  to  discipline.  4.  Thirteen  male  persons,  thus 
associated,  may  organize  into  an  official  branch  of  this  Church;  but 
shall  report  to  the  Chief  Elder  or  to  the  State  Elder  their  organization 

CHAPTER  II.     PAGE  131. 

THE    CHIEF    PBESIDING    ELDER. 

1.  The  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son  shall  be  primarily  directed  by  a 
chief"  Overseer,"  called  the  Chief  Presiding  Elder.  2.  His  authority 
shall  extend  over  all  the  churches  of  the  country  or  nation  in  which 
he  lives,  and  of  which  he  must  be  a  citizen  native  born,  but  shall 
never  extend  beyond  the  same.  He  shall  have  no  temporal  power — 
his  oversight  being  purely  spiritual.  3.  His  duty.  4.  Each  State, 
or  Province,  or  District,  or  Territory  of  a  country  shall  also  have  an 
Overseer.  Each  shall  preside  over  the  church  of  his  respective 
State  or  District.  He  has  no  temporal  power — his  oversight  being 
also  spiritual.  His  duty.  5.  No  Elder  shall  interfere  with  the  secu- 
lar organization  of  a  Church  or  its  property.  6.  EACH  CHURCH 
SHALL  GOVERN  ITS  OWN  AJTAIRS.     7.  Exhortation. 

CHAPTER  III.     PAGE  132. 

THE  QUALIFICATION  OF  THE  CHIEF  ELDER  OR    OVERSEER. 

I.  He  must  be  Regenerated.  He  must  produce  living  witnesses 
(who  have  been  converted  through  his  immediate  instrumentality) 
that  he  has  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  to  the  conversion  of  souls. 
2,  3.  He  must  "  KNOW  AND  HEAR  THE  VOICE  OF  JESUS," 
and  how  to  comfort  mourners,  and  administer  consolation  to  the  sick 
and  dying,  in  the  hour  of  trial.  4.  His  office  is  an  office  of  mercy. 
5,  6.  He  must  see  that  all  our  icritten  doctrines  are  faithfully  main- 
tained by  the  State  or  District  Elders,  the  Local  Overseers,  and  the 
Ministers,  helps  and  members  under  their  charge.  6.  We  allow  no 
Tradition  to  govern  this  Church. 


XX  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  IV.     PAGE  134. 

DURATION  OF  OFFICE  OF  THE  OVERSEERS — RESIGNATIONS,  ETC. 

Note. — The  paragraphs  are  improperly  numbered  in  this  Chapter— 
the  first  paragraph  is  numbered  5,  the  second  6,  &c.  We  note  them 
in  this  table  as  they  are  numbered.  They  must  be  revised  in  a 
second  edition. 

5,  6.  Term  of  office  of  the  Chief  Elder.  He  may  be  re-elected, 
and  removed  from  office  for  incapacity  or  delinquency.  How  the 
Elders  shall  be  tried.  8-11.  Resignation  of  the  Elders,  and  the 
manner  of  filling  the  vacancies.  12,  13.  Confirmation  of  the  Elders 
— their  duty  at  such  periods. 

CHAPTER  V.    PAGE  136. 

MEETINGS    OF    BUSINESS. 

1.  The  Meetings  of  Business  are  the  following: — A  General  Con- 
ference; and,  State  Conferences — both  by  Delegates  selected  and 
sent  by  each  Quarterly  Meeting.  2-4.  How  represented.  5,  6. 
Quarterly  meetings  and  monthly  meetings — they  are  composed  of 
the  members  g-e?iera%,  and  not  of  Delegates.  7,  8.  The  equality  of 
this  rule  in  relation  to  the  General  and  State  Conferences — Officers 
of  these  meetings. 

CHAPTER  VI.     PAGE  137. 

ELECTION  AND  CONFIRMATION. 

OF  THE  CHIEF  PRESIDING  OVERSEER  OR    ELDER. 

1.  The  election  and  confirmation,  &c.,  are  done  by  a  Convention 
of  Delegates,  from  each  Quarterly  meeting.  2,  3.  The  manner  of 
electing  the  delegates.  4.  The  organization  of  the  Convention.  5. 
The  manner  of  nominating  candidates.  6-8.  The  election  by  bal- 
lot.    9,  10.  The  preliminaries  of  the  ordination  or  confirmation. 

QUESTIONS.     Pages  139—81. 

QUESTIONS  TO  THE  OVERSEER  ELECT. 

First  question — Subject — The  Holy  Trinity. 
Second  question — Subject — Jesus  the  one  only  God. 
Third  question — Subject — His  Eternity. 
Fourth  question — Subject — The  Incarnation. 
Fifth  question — Subject — The  Sufferings  of  God. 
Sixth  question — Subject — Jesus  is  the  First  and  the  Last. 
Seventh  question — Subject — The  Atonement. 
Eighth  question — Subject — The  Mediation. 
Ninth  question — Subject — The  Reign  of  the  Lord  Jesus  "  will 
have  no  end."    Luke  i.  33. 


CONTENTS.  XXI 

Tenth  question — Subject — Jesus,  the  Eternal  and  Almighty 
Maker  and  preserver  of  all  things. 

Eleventh  question — Subject — Jesus  Christ  the  same  yesterday, 
and  to-day  and  forever.     Heb.xiii.  8. 

Twelfth  question — Subject — Special  Gifts. 

Thirteenth  question — Subject — Miraculous  Faith. 

Fourteenth  question — S u bj ect — Belief. 

Fifteenth  question — On  Conviction. 

Sixteenth  question — Subject — The  New  Birth. 

Seventeenth  question — On  the  full  assurance  of  Eternal  Life 
(in  this  time,  even  from  youth  until  old  age.) 

Eighteenth  question — Subject — None  were  "Born  again"  or 
"ascended  up  to  heaven"  before  the  resurrection  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 
John  iii.  13. 

Nineteenth  question — Subject — God's  fore-knowledge  and  de- 
crees. 

Twentieth  question — Subject — "  With  God  all  things  are  possi- 
ble." Markx.  27. 

Twenty-first  question — Subject — The  Resurrection. 

Twenty-second  question — On  Water  Baptism. 

Twenty-third  question — Subject — The  Communion. 

Twenty-fourth  question — On  the  Law  given  to  Moses. 

Twenty-fifth  question — Subject — Heaven  and  the  Throne  of 
God. 

Twenty-sixth  question — On  "  the  Wrath  of  God"  and  creaturely 
Devils. 

Twenty-seventh  question — On  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

Twenty-eighth  question  —  Subject — The  Doctrines  of  the 
Church. 

FORM  OF  CONFIRMATION  OR   ORDINA- 
TION.    Page  181. 

1-5.  Remarks. — PRAYER.  Kneeling  the  true  position.  Jesus 
kneeled  in  prayer.     See  Luke  xxii.  41. 

THE  ORDINATION  PRAYER.     Page  182. 

Note. — The  words  "  Amen^^  in  this  prayer  are  not  to  be  uttered  by 
persons  praying — at  any  time.  The  words  "  Hallelujah"  may  be 
uttered  :  These  ejaculations  must  be  uttered  by  the  Congregation 
according  to  "  Note,"  page  188. 

ordination  or  confirmation,     page  189. 

1,  2.  The  manner.  3.  Certificates  of  appointment.  4.  Proceed- 
ings of  Convention — how  Disposed  of.  5.  No  new  business  can  be 
originated  by  these  conventions. 

CERTIFICATES  OF  THE  CHIEF  ELDER  AND  STATE  ELDERS,  &C.    PAGE  190. 

The  Certificates. — State  Elders  and  Ministers — their  ordination. 
All  our  ministers  are  free  to  travel  and  preach  the  everlasting  Gos- 
pel without  confirmation  or  ordination  as  the  Lord  Jesus  may  dictate. 
This  LIBERTY  is  perpetual  in  this  Church. 


XXll  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VII.    PAGE  193. 

THE    STATE    OVERSEERS   OR   ELDERS. 

1,  2.  The  manner  of  choosing  State  Elders.  3.  On  the  INCEP- 
TIVE ORGANIZATION  of  a  STATE.  4-7.  The  duties  of  the 
State  Elders  or  Overseers  described.  The  STATE  OVERSEERS 
shall  hold  their  OFFICE  for  a  term  of  FIVE  YEARS. 

CHAPTER  VIII.    PAGE  196. 

THE   MINISTRY. 

1-3.  Certificates  of  Confirmation  to  them — how  granted  (Appeals). 
4.  The  form  of  the  Certificate.     5.  The  object  of  the  Certificate. 

6.  Liberty  and  the   true  Certificate — no   Bondage   in  this  Church. 

7,  8.  The  Holy  Scriptures— HALLS  for  WORSHIP— no  pulpits  nor 
select  seats.  9-11.  The  poor  of  our  Church  shall  be  supplied  with 
the  Holy  Scriptures.— The  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  shall  cause 
to  be  published  a  NEW  EDITION  OF  THE  BIBLE,  with  corrections 
of  the  versification  and  of  the  punctuation,  &c.  Some  of  those  errors 
pointed  out,  wherein  the  true  sense  of  the  Scripture  has  been  per- 
verted and  the  Lord  Jesus  dishonored.  12.  Directions  to  our  Minis- 
ters relative  to  preaching  in  other  congregations,  &c. 

CHAPTER  IX.     PAGE  201. 

DIVINE  WORSHIP — MEETINGS  HOW  CONDUCTED. 

1.  As  all  the  members  of  this  Church  profess  to  be  led  by  the 
spirit  of  God,  so  all  the  Brethren  who  are  led  to  preach,  pray  or  ex- 
hort, are  at  liberty  to  do  so,  but  "ONE  by  ONE,"  or  one  at  a  time; 
yet  when  mourners  are  seeking  salvation,  or  crying  for  mercy,  then 
each  member  is  to  do  his  and  her  duty,  by  speaking  and  praying  to 
each  mourner  at  the  same  time,  even  whilst  the  leading  prayers  and 
exhortations  are  going  on.  There  should  be  no  cessation  :  For  the 
kingdom  of  Heaven  suff"ereth  violence,  and  the  violent  take  it  by  force, 
saith  Jesus.  Matt.  11,  12.  Hyrnns  and  choruses  to  be  sung.  2.  Ex- 
pensive Edifices,  paid  ministry,  and  schools  of  divinity  all  condemned. 
3.' The  mode  of  conducting  our  meetings  continued.  4.  WOMEN 
are  allowed  to  help  us  by  vocal  prayer  in  our  select  or  prayer  meet- 
ings. 5,  6.  The  subject  of  worship  continued — exhortation  to  pray 
with  families.  7.  The  subject  continued — mourners  how  to  be  ap- 
proached. 8.  First  interrogation  to  mourners.  9.  The  difficulty  of 
awakening  the  "Lukewarm  professor,  or  the  Gospel-hardened." 
10-12.  Remarks  on  the  saying  of  Jesus — "  The  publicans  and  the 
harlots  go  into  the  kingdom  of  God  before  you" — how  to  be  under- 
stood. 13,  14.  The  second  interrogation,  &c.  14-31.  The  mode 
of  encouraging  the  mourner  to  trust  in  Jesus;  and  of  bringing  the 
soul  into  the  New  Birth,  and  "  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  Children 
of  God."  32-34.  Liberty  to  members  of  other  Churches  or  the  Re- 
generated to  speak  or  pray  in  our  meetings — how  regulated  and 


CONTENTS.  XXlll 

restricted.  35.  The  manner  of  opening  our  meetings — brevity  in 
exhortation,  &c.  36.  Time  of  closing  our  meetings,  &c.  37.  The 
ENTRANCED  STATE.  38.  The  spirit  of  prayer— conversion. 
39.  Manner  of  inviting  mourners  to  the  mourners'  benches. 

Note. — In  paragraph  36,  page  210,  there  is  an  important  omission. 
It  is  there  stated  that  the  evening  services  are  required  to  be  closed 
at  ten  P.M.  It  should  have  stated,  also,  that  [the  congregation 
generally  should  be  dismissed  in  the  winter  season,  at  half  past  eight 
P.M.,  and  in  the  summer  season  at  nine  P.M.,  so  that  those  who 
wish  to  retire  may  do  so  before  the  commencement  of  the  prayer- 
meeting.  Nevertheless,  if  the  blessed  power  of  the  Lord  should  be 
generally  poured  out  on  the  congregation  at  an  earlier  hour,  as  stated 
in  the  Address,  pages  52-3,  then  the  meeting  shall  not  be  dismissed. 
This  measure  of  dismissing  the  first  meeting  will  give  room  for 
the  prayer-meetings.  These  prayer-meetings  shall  not  be  omitted 
at  any  season,  but  shall  always  be  held  after  the  first  dismission, 
which  shall  be  with  aDoxology  and  the  Benediction,  "May  the  grace 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all.  Amen."  Such  as  are  de- 
sirous of  continuing  in  the  prayer-meeting  should  be  invited  to  re- 
main, and  such  as  remain  must  expect  to  be  advised,  counseled,  and 
invited  to  seek  the  salvation  of  their  souls,  which  shall  be  publicly 
made  known  unto  them.]*  The  words  within  the  brackets  shall  be 
a  standing  rule  in  this  Church.  They  belong  between  the  words 
*'  at  home  early,"  and  "  During  the  seasons,"  in  the  paragraph. 


CHAPTER  IX.     Page  212. 

Note. — This  should  have  been  Chapter  lOth,  and  must  be  altered, 
together  with  the  succeeding  chapters,  in  the  second  edition. 

CONVERTS    THROUGH  THE    FAITH  OF    THIS  CHURCH,  AND    APPLICANTS 
FOR  MEMBERSHIP  NOT  CONVERTED  AMONGST  US. 

1.  All  white  persons,  ''  horn  again"  through  the  instrumentality 
of  this  church,  are  at  once  adopted  as  members  of  this  church.  2. 
They  shall  be  upheld  in  their  growth  in  grace,  and  instructed,  but 
are  liable  to  be  suspended  for  offences,  as  others.  3,  4.  The  ages 
of  applicants  not  limited. —  Scriptural  authority.  5.  None  can 
vote  under  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  nor  become  an  Overseer  or  a 
Delegate  under  twenty-one  years. — Note. —  [Colored  persons  adopt- 
ing our  Faith  shall  form  a  distinct  Church.] 

SHORT  QUESTIONS  TO  APPLICANTS. 
Pages  213-229. 

The  following  SHORT  QUESTIONS  shall  be  put  to  all  applicants 
without  exception,  who  have  not  been  converted  amongst  us,  and  this 
rule  shall  never  be  altered  or  amended — The  manner  of  receiving 
such  applicants.— JVofe. — SEVERAL  PERSONS  may  be  questioned 
at  the  same  time. 


XXIV  CONTENTS. 


SHORT    QUESTIONS   TO    APPLICANTS  FOR   MEMBERSHIP 
WHO  HAVE  NOT  BEEN  CONVERTED  AMONGST  US. 

PAGE  214. 

QUESTION  I.  On  the  Eternity  of  the  MAN  JESUS.  11.  On  his 
Tri-unity.  III.  The  "  SON"  shall  be  called  "  the  Everlasting  Fa- 
ther." IV.  The  MAN  who  died  was  God,  and  God  was  the  man.  V. 
On  the  soul  of  God.  VI.  Jehovah  the  Son  came  down  from  heaven 
with  his  own  "  soul,"  and  was  "  made  flesh."  VII,  On  the  hypo- 
statical  union  or  doctrine  of  two  dis^mc?  natures  in  the  Person  of  the 
Lord  Jesus — the  doctrine  refuted.  VIII.  The  Father,  Jehovah,  and 
the  Son  "  ARE  ONE,"  so  that  those  who  saw  Jesus  saw  the  Father. 

How  the  Son  sent  himself. —  [Explanatory  note. — The  Apostle  tes- 
tifies, 1  John  V.  20,  that  the  "  Son"  "  is  the  TRUE  GOD ;"  and  as 
he  is  "the  true  God,''  there  can  be  no  God  above  him,  to  whom  he 
can  be  subject.  Therefore,  all  his  expressions,  such  as  "  the  Father 
sent  the  Son,"  "  I  came  not  of  myself,  but  he  sent  me,"  &c.,  are 
expressions  oP  "  humiliation,"  the  same  as  when  he  said,  <' My 
Father  is  greater  than  I,""  I  live  by  the  Father,"  &c.  They  are 
the  expressions  of  "  The  true  God"  as  a  man,  which  he  became. 
For  "  God"  "  the  Word  was  made  flesh,"  saith  the  Apostle.  John  i. 
14.  For  a  further  explanation  of  this  subject,  see  "  Title  of  the 
Church,"  pages  63-4.  See  Article  VIL,  pages  77-8.  See  Arguments 
1 19-21.     See  pages  140,  254-5.] 

IX.  On  the  Godhead — this  explained.     X.  On  the  Identity  of  the 
Son  with  the  God  of  the  Jews  in  the  Wilderness — they  are  the  same — 
proved.     XL  On  the  mediation — God,  or  God  the  Son  mediated  by 
himself— proved.    XII.  On  the  death  of  God.    XIII.  JEHOVAH,  the 
First  and  the  Last,  suffered  and  died  on  the  cross — proved.     XIV. 
The  Son  is  infinite  \n  his  perfections.     XV.  The  RIGHT  HAND  of 
God — This   is    his    power. — On   the  Intercession.     XVI.    How    the 
"  CHILDREN"  can  call  Jesus  Father.  See  John  xxi.  verse  5.    XVII. 
The  all-important  questions — Are  you  regenerated,  or  "born  again  ?" 
— When,  and  where  did  it  take  place  ? — Was  it  instantaneous? — &c. 
Unconverted  heathen.    XVIII.  The  Resurrection,  last  Judgment,  and 
creaturely  Devils,  and  the  cause  of  evil.     XIX.  On  Water  Baptism — 
not  essential,  buti)erwi7^e£?  in  this  church — On  the  OUTWARD  SAC- 
RAMENT of  bread  and  wine;itmay  be  eaten  by  the  servants,  {Gal. 
iv.  7,)  but  not  by  the  SONS  of  God — Reasons.     XX.  We  can  have,  no 
Christian  fellowship  with  false  sects.     XXI.  On  the  expressions  of 
God,  "  of  myself  I  can  do  nothing,"  &c.     XXII.  On  the  Son's  Om- 
nipresence— Omniscience — His  Decrees — He  cannot  be  limited,  and 
will    REIGN    WITHOUT    END.      XXIII.  On    Christian     Liberty. 
XXIV.  On  giving  Jesus  all  glory /or  all  things — Examples.     XXV. 
On  Miraculous  gifts — Attainable  at  this  day — On  the  Operations  of 
the   Spirit,  shouting,  &c. — Faith  explained.     XXVI.  On  the  Holy 
Bible — Bibles  with  notes  or  comments  must  be  rejected — Dr.  Adam 
Clarke's  Commentaries — Their  dangerous   tendency.     XXVII.  On 
Mesmerism,  Clairvoyance,  and  Pathetism — They  are  to  be  rejected 
— The  reasons.     XXVIII.  The  final  question. 


CONTENTS.  XXV 


CHAPTER  X.    PAGE  229. 

LOCAL  OVERSEERS  OF  INDIVIDUAL  CHURCHES,  COLLECTION  OF 
FUNDS,  &C. 

1.  They  are  called  Local  Overseers,  to  distinguish  them  from  the 
traveling  Chief  and  State  Overseers — Every  new  church  of  thirteen 
male  members  shall  appoint  two  Local  Overseers.  2.  Limited  to 
nine — Elected  annually — Eligible  for  office  for  two  years.  3.  Their 
general  duty.  4-7.  False  members  hinder  the  Gospel  work — Re- 
marks— They  must  be  suspended.  8-10.  Further  duties  of  the  Over- 
seers— To  keep  order  at  times  of  worship — To  attend  to  the  pecu- 
niary affairs  of  the  church.  11-14.  No  money  collections  at  meetings 
of  worship  permitted — Expenses  how  provided  for,  and  met.  15. 
All  business  affairs  shall  be  done  by  ballot.  16.  No  official  leading 
members  allowed— The  brother  who  is  "  IN  THE  SPIRIT,"  shall 
lead  when  '<  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  upon  him." — 1:^0  distinct  body , 
college,  or  conclave  allowed,  as  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
and  others.  17.  Real  estate,  how  secured.  18.  Secesshn  from  this 
church  forfeits  the  real  and  personal  estate  of  a  church — How  pro- 
vided for. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

HALLS  FOR  WORSHIP,  &C.      PAGE  233. 

1.  How  built.  2.  Expensive  edifices  wrong — Cause  of  church 
begging.  3.  Halls  not  absolutely  necessary.  4-6.  We  offer  no  in- 
ducement for  a  large  individual  church  membership — Remarks  on 
efficient  members.  7.  Small  congregations  recommended.  8,  9. 
Wrong  titles  to  church  edifices — We  do  not  consecrate  them.  10-16. 
We  call  our  meeting-houses  HALLS — Manner  of  building  them 
described.  17-18.  Any  defects  in  the  outward  organization  of  this 
church  are  to  be  supplied  by  a  General  Conference — The  proviso. 

CHAPTER  XII.    PAGE  238. 

SLAVERY,  WAR,  OATHS,  AMUSEMENTS. 

1,'2.  Slavery  not  to  be  interfered  with  by  this  church  as  a  body — 
Remarks.  3-5.  Many  evils  have  attended  the  enslaving  of  the  Afri- 
can race,  yet  thousands  who  would  have  been  PAGAN  IDOLATERS 
at  this  day,  now  enjoy  the  blessings  of  civilization,  and  the  religion 
of  Jesus  in  their  souls — Remarks. 

WAR — Our  position  defined. 

OATHS — We  are  commanded  to  *'  swear  not  at  all ;"  we  affirm 
only,  where  the  Laws  of  the  country  will  admit  of  it. 

CHAPTER  XIII.     PAGE  239. 

SUNDAY  SCHOOLS. 

1.  Approved  of.     2-10.  How  conducted — The  object — Libraries. 


XXVI  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XIV.     PAGE  241. 


TEMPERANCE,  DRESS,  ETC. 

1-4.  Temperance — Our  position  defined.  5.  This  church  cannot 
acknowledge  any  law  relative  to  the  cut  of  a  garment,  or  its  colour, 
or  any  law  in  relation  to  the  furniture  of  our  dwellings — We  approve 
of  the  Arts  and  Sciences — Remarks. 


PART   FOURTH. 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  THE  FAITH  AND  DOC- 
TRINES OF  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  ETER- 
NAL SON. 

CHAPTER  I.     PAGE  242. 

ON  ETERNAL  GENERATION. 

The  Son,  even  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  was  Eternally  Generated^  or  the 
Son  as  a  Son,  as  he  appeared  in  the  flesh  ^i  Jerusalem,  had  no  begin- 
ning whatever.  He  assimilated  his  Eternal  Soul  and  Divine  nature 
with  our  flesh,  and  thus  "  God'"  was  made  flesh  actually.  And  it 
was  God  which  died  on  the  Cross.  2.  Jesus  denies  that  he  had  any 
beginning,  or  genealogy  ;  texts  proving  it.  3.  The  Eternal  Gene- 
ration of  the  Son  was  AN  ETERNAL  ACT,  BY  WHICH  THE 
TRIUNE  GOD  EXISTED— proved  from  Scripture. 

CHAPTER  II.     PAGE  244. 

THE  MAN  JESUS  CHRIST. 

1.  He  came  down  from  heaven  as  a  Son,  and  is  the  Maker  of  all 
things.  2.  His  Holy  Names  given  as  recorded  in  the  Old  and  New 
Testaments.  3,  4.  His  Incarnation — How  the  divine  nature  <'  was 
made  flesh."  5-9.  Two  distinct  or  separate  natures  in  the  Person  of 
Jesus  are  wholly  untenable.  The  impossibility  of  two  distinct  na- 
tures in  the  Person  of  Jesus  demonstrated  from  the  Sacred  Records. 
9.  Dr.  Adam  Clarke — his  commentaries  should  be  disallowed  by  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  10.  President  Edwards'  gross  error, 
founded  on  this  doctrine  of"  two  distinct  natures.  11.  God  "  was 
tempted  in  all  points  like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin" — how  under- 
stood. 12.  When  "God  was  made  flesh"  and  became  man,  he 
changed  not — proved.  The  glory  and  eternal  dominion  and  reign  of 
the  Man  Jesus  Christ  described. 


CONTENTS.  XXVU 


CHAPTER  III.     PAGE  256. 


JESUS  **THE  TRUE  GOD,"    SUFEEHED. 

1.  God  brought  himself  into  a  capacity  for  suffering,  or  became 
passible,  by  becoming  a  true  and  very  man,  yet  he  filled  all  things  at 
that  time  as  he  did  tirom  all  eternity.  He  was  "  in  heaven"  whilst 
he  dwelt  upon  earth,  as  he  declared  to  Nicodemus.  2.  His  wonder- 
ful power.  3.  The  whole  Godhead  died  on  the  Cross — how  to  be 
understood,  a  c/ii7d  may  learn.     Jesus  is  "  f^eFuMer  also" — proved. 


CHAPTER  IV.    PAGE  258.  ^ 

ON  BELIEF  AND  ON  MIRACULOUS  FAITH. 

1,2.  Belief  illustrated.  3.  The  Jews  believed  all  that  is  now 
believed  in  by  most  professors,  yet  because  they  rejected  the  MAN 
JESUS  as  God,  they  were  "  cast  out" — proved  from  Scripture.  4. 
A  direct  question  to  all  unbelievers,  with  the  consequences  of  unbe- 
lief.— How  such  ^' stone  Jesus,"  and  "  crucify  him  afresh." 

ON    MIRACULOUS    FAITH.      PAGE    260. 

1.  Saint  Paul's  definition  of  it — Faith  is  not  an  act  of  the  creature, 
but  is  an  act  of  Jesus  Christ  through  "  EVIDENCE"  without  doubt. 
2.  It  is  all  powerful  in  the  smallest  degree,  and  depends  not  on 
quantity,  but  on  "  kind.''  [See  Matt.  xvii.  21  ;  Mark  ix.  29.]  3,  4, 
5.  Faith  will  hardly  be  found  in  the  Last  Day — The  consequences. 
An  act  of  faith — how  performed.  6.  A  dead  faith.  7.  A  living  faith. 
8.  Faith  according  to  Saint  James. 


CHAPTER  V.     PAGE  262. 

ORIGINAL  SIN. 

1.  It  began  with  Lucifer,  he  is  a  fallen  angel — texts  to  prove  it. 
2,  3.  The  fall  of  man.  4.  Original  sin,  or  innate  depravity.  How 
Adam  died  the  day  he  did  eat.     The  flaming  sword — Its  operation. 

CHAPTER  VI.     PAGE  264. 

ON  CONVICTION  AND  REPENTANCE. 

1,  2.  Conviction  defined — how  it  operates.  3,  4.  The  constrain- 
ing love  and  power  of  God.  5,  6.  All  must  pass  through  the  anguish 
of  conviction,  through  "the  strait  gate  and  narrow  way,"  before 
they  can  enter  "  into  life"  and  "  be  born  again,"  whether  they  be 
open  sinners  or  rigid  moralists — We  must  obtain  "  THE  SON." 


XXVlll  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VII.     PAGE  265. 

ON  REGENERATION,  OR  THE  NEW  BIRTH. 

1.  Regeneration,  how  declared  by  our  Blessed  Lord.  2.  We  are  Sons 
by  the  spirit  of  adoption.  3.  The  great  difference  between  the  ONLY 
BEGOTTEN  SON  and  adopted  Sons.  4-8.  The  words  "  water  and 
the  spirit'^  are  to  be  understood  as  LIVING  water — Scriptures  sup- 
porting it.  9-11.  The '•' New  Birth"  more  fully  described — The  joys 
of  the  blessed  in  this  world.  12.  Jssus  makes  his  abode  in  the  soul 
—the  WEDDING  GARMENT.  13.  Such  as  are  born  again  have  re- 
ceived the  Holy  Ghost — they  have  become  partakers  of''  the  Divine 
nature."  14.  This  VIRTUE  and  Divine  nature  are  communicable 
unto  others — caution  to  such  as  have  it.  15,  16.  Sanctification  or 
PERFECT  LOVE— its  operation  and  its  holy  joy.  This  is  the 
*'  kingdom  of  God  within,"  as  Jesus  declares,  Luke  17,  20,  21. — 17. 
The  *'  strait  gate  and  narrow  way"  defined — popular  errors  respect- 
ing this  "gate"  and  "way."  18.  The  regenerated  soul  ''is passed 
from  death  unto  life"  by  passing  through  the  "  strait  gate"  of  an- 
guish, and  will  never  perish — and  will  have  no  more  occasion  to  pass 
through  this  gate.  19.  Of  the  Heathen — they  all  lie  "  in  wicked- 
ness^'— various  Scriptures  which  show  that  they  neither  "  see  nor 
know"  the  spirit.  They  that  "  have  sinned  without  law,  shall  also 
perish  without  law,"  saith  the  Apostle.  Rom.  ii.  12, 

CHAPTER  VIII.     PAGE  273. 

ON  THE  CONDITION    OF    THE    PATRIARCHS,  PROPHETS,  AND    HOLY  MEN 
OF    OLD  (AFTER  DEATH). 

1,  2.  NO  MAN  ''hath  ascended  vp  to  heaven,""  saith  Jesus,  John 
3, 13,  that  is,  no  man  \.\idi\.  d'lad  previous  to  the  resurrection  of  Jesus. — 
3,  4.  No  man  was  regenerated  prerfous  to  the  death  and  resurrection 
of  our  Lord.  5-11.  Arguments.  12,  13.  The  impossibility  of  an 
unregenerated  soul  entering  the  final  "  place"  of  the  righteous. 

CHAPTER  IX.     PAGE  277. 

ON   THE  ASSURANCE  OF  ETERNAL  SALVATION  DURING  THIS  LIFE. 

1-4.  Saint  John  testifies,  "  Whosoever  is  born  of  God  doth  not 
commit  sin,  for  his  seed  remaineth  in  him,  and  he  cannot  sin  be- 
cause he  IS  born  of  God,"  1  John  iii.  9. — Scriptural  arguments, — Il- 
lustrated by  Saint  Paul.  Rom.  vii.  22,  2o, — His  glorious  testimony, 
that  nothing  in  time  or  eternity  "  shall  be  able  to  separate  US 
from  ihe  love  of  God  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,"  that  is  US 
who  are  "  born  again.'' 

CHAPTER  X.     PAGE  278. 

ON  PREDESTINATION. 

1,  2.  Jesus  foreknows,  (John  xvi.  29,  30,)  and  has  foreordained  all 


CONTENTS.  XXIX 

things,  proved — Saint~Paul's  testimony.  3,  4.  The  argument  from 
several  Scriptures — Tiie  case  of  Pharaoh — Jesus  predetermines  the 
means  of  a  sinner's  salvation.  5,  6.  The  subject  explained — Our 
true  position  relative  to  God's  decrees — On  FREE-WILL — Satan 
fell  through  free-will — God  knows  the  future  choice  of  every  man's 
free-will — All  who  through  their  own  free-will  do  not  accept  the 
constraining  offers  of  mercy,  shall  be  damned — How  a  man  plunges 
himself  into  the  fire  that  was"  prepared  for  the  Devil  and  his  angels-^ 
— God  has  "no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  the  wicked." 

•      CHAPTER  XI.    PAGE  282. 

ON  THE  DIVINE  LAW  GIVEN  TO  MOSES,  AND  THE  NEW  COVENANT. 

1.  The  Divine  Law  is  summed  up  in  the  Decalogue,  or  "  Ten 
Commandments"— THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS  enumerated.  2. 
We  adopt  them  as  they  were  given  unto  Moses  on  the  Mount,  ex- 
cept thc^e  parts  or  clauses  which  have  been  cancelled  in  the  Gos- 
pels by  the  Lord  Jesus  himself.  3,  4.  The  commandments  which  are 
abolished.  5.  Remarks  on  the  Sabbath-day — We  keep  the  day.  6,  7. 
The  "  FIRST"  and  "  SECOND"  commandments  as  defined  by  the 
Lord  Jesus  himself  whilst  outwardly  dwelling  among  us. 

CHAPTER  XII.     PAGE  2S5. 

r 
ON  THE  WRATH  OF  GOD. 

1.  The  Apostle  declares,  "  We  were  hy  nature  children  of  the 
wrath,  eren  as  others.''''  2.  Those  under  the  wrath,  are  under  the 
dominion  of  their  own  fallen  nature.  3,  4.  And  the  Lord  said, 
"  My  Spirit  will  not  always  strive  with  man" — The  desolation  of 
those — They  are  under  the  wrath.  5,  6.  God,  even  Jesus,  can 
have  no  wrath  in  himself — If  he  had,  the  consequences — an  expla- 
nation. 7-9.  The  atoning  blood  of  Jesus  saves  us  from  the  wrath, 
and  the  penalty  of  eternal  death,  and  the  curse — The  glory  and  Di- 
vine majesty  of  Jesus,  the  Eternal  Son,  who  thus  saves  us — An  ad- 
monition. 


CHAPTER  XIII.     PAGE  288. 

OF  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES,  THE  OLD  AND  NEW  TESTAMENTS. 

1.  The  Holy  Scriptures  are  given  by  inspiration  of  God.  2.  The 
books  enutnerated.  3.  Jesus  fulfilled  the  Law  and  the  Prophets, 
"  Blotting  out  the  hand-writing  of  ordinances  that  were  against  us, 
which  was  contrary  to  us,  and  took  it  out  of  the  way,  NAILING 
IT  TO  HIS  CROSS"— This  church  cannot,  therefore,  acknowledge 
any  ordinance  whatever.  4.  The  Scriptures  cannot  be  broken.  5,6. 
The  Scriptures  of  the  Old  Testament  fully  established  by  the  direct 
and  immediate  sayings  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  while  in  the  flesh — Say- 
ings enumerated.     8.  The  Holy  Scriptures  the   only  true  guide  to 


XXX  CONTENTS. 

Jesus. —  [Note. — But  it  requires  the  immediate  inspiration  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  to  understand  and  believe  them.  ICnr.  ii.  11.]  95=  This  clause 
within  brackets  shall  be  inserted  in  paragraph  8,  page  291,  in  the 
second  edition  of  this  book,  after  the  words  ma/i's  redemption — and 
marked  as  a  parenthesis.  An  iinproper  division  and  punctuation  of 
the  Scriptures,  have  in  many  instances  destroyed  the  sense — In- 
stances given — An  instruction  to  the  church,  how  to  correct  this  evil. 
9,  11.  The  Scriptures  throughout  testify  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  but  Jesus 
declares  that  eternal  life  is  only  to  be  found  in  himself.  12.  We 
establish  our  faith  primarily  on  the  direct  sayings  of  the  Lord  Jesus — 
Arguments.  13.  The  children  are  free  from  the  ceremonial  Law  of 
Moses.  14.  We  receive  nothing  for  doctrine  which  opposes  the  say- 
ings of  Jesus.     15.  Of  the  New  Law,  and  our  Neighbor. 

CONCLUSION.     Page  295. 

1,  2.  There  is  no  God  whatever  but  the  Man  Jesus  Christ  of  Na- 
zareth. 3,  4.  The  Man  Jesus,  the  Eternal  Son,  is  a  Tri-\inity  by 
himself.  Those  who  worship  the  Man  Jesus,  as  the  Apostles  wor- 
shipped him,  worship  the  total  God,  bodily.  5.  Jesus  Mediated  and 
"  by  himself  purged  our  sins."  Heb.  i.  3.  6.  The  unity  and  sim- 
plicity of  our  belief.  7-9.  None  can  possibly  enter  the  kingdom  of 
God,  unless  they  are  born  again,  by  which  we  are  instantaneously 
''translated  into  the  kingdom  of  the  DEAR  SON."  Col.  i.  13.— This 
is  the  state  called  "  Christian  Perfection."  10.  Our  greatest  object. 
11.  Lay  hands  suddenly  on  no  man.  Note. — Add  in  the  second 
edition  of  this  book,  after  the  words  no  man,  page  300,  the  words 
within  the  brackets  [when  admitting  them  as  members :  they  "  must 
be  born  again.'''']  12.  Suspension  from  membership.  13.  Appli- 
cants for  membership — [VVe  have  no  official  men  to  lead  us]  — 
The  manner  of  putting  down  tedious  prosers  who  have  been  ad- 
monished. [They  must  be  suspended  from  membership,  if  obsti- 
nate.] 9:^  Insert  in  paragraph  14,  after  the  figures  200,  in  the 
second  edition.  14,  15.  Summary  of  our  faith — A  Note  relative  to 
the  maintenance  of  the  fiimilies  of  the  Elders  when  on  their  circuit 
duties. 

PLAN  OF  THE  HALLS  FOR  WORSHIP.     An  Engraving. 
Page  304. 

HYMNS.     Pages  311  to  392. 

SUBJECTS.— "The  True  God"— God's  Advent— God's  Cruci- 
fixion  and  Atonement — The  Resurrection  of  God — The  General  Re- 
surrection— The  New  Birth,  or  the  Kingdom  of  God — Invitation 
Hymns — Doxologies — Choruses — Index  to  the  Hymns. 

DECLARATION  OF  MEMBERSHIP,  AND  BLANKS  FOR 
SIGNATURES.     Page  409. 


TO  THE  READER. 


In  presenting  the  following  work,  (compiled  from  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures,) we  have  but  one  great  object  in  view — The  regeneration  of 
immortal  souls. 

The  Apostle  testifies,  that  "  there  is  none  other  name  under  hea- 
ven given  among  men  whereby  we  must  be  saved,"  than  '<  The 
name  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Nazareth,"  who  was"  crucified'' — "  neither 
is  there  salvation  IN  ANY  OTHER."  Acts  iv.  10-12. 

As  a  church,  we  can  testify  with  the  inspired  Apostle  that  "  if?e 
know  that  'the  SON  of  God'  has  come,  (see  Dan.  iii.  25),  and  has 
given  us  an  understanding  that  we  may  know  Him  that  is  true,  and 
we  are  in  Him  that  is  true,  even  in  his  SON  Jesus  Christ ;  THIS  IS 
THE  TRUE  GOD,  and  ETERNAL  Life."  I  John  v.  20. 

Accordingly,  Jesus  declares,  "  If  ye  believe  not  that '  I  AM  HE," 
(see  Isa.  XLii.  10,  11,)  ye  shall  die  in  your  sins" — "  whither  I  go  ye 
cannot  come."  John  viii.  21-24. 

The  "  SON  Jesus  Christ"  being"  THE  TRUE  GOD  and  ETER- 
NAL Life,"  we  have  called  this  church  The  Church  of  the  Eter- 
nal Son;  and  we  intend,  through  the  help  of  Jesus,  to  exclude  all 
unbelievers  in  the  Eternal  Sonship  from  our  church  membership. 

A  work,  declaring  that  the  Son  of  God  is  '*  inferior"  to  God,  as 
a  Son,  is  now  cherished  by  many  laymen,  and  fostered  as  a  Class  book 
by  private  and  public  Preceptors  of  religion,  who  call  themselves 
Trinitarians,  and  orthodox.  This  work  is  the  "  Commentary"  of  Dr. 
Clarke,  in  which  he  also  boldly  asserts  "  that  the  doctrine  of  the 
Eternal  Sonship  is  antiscriptural,  and  highly  dangerous."  These 
antichristian  fallacies  characterize  the  work.  The  fact  that  this  Com 
mentary  is  thu^  fostered,  would  justify  the  inference,  that  these  Pre- 
ceptors and  laymen  do  not  esteem  it  essential  to  salvation,  to  believe 
that  the  Son  of  God  pre-existed  eternally  AS  A  SON,  or  is  Divine. 

Our  efforts  will  be  unceasing  against  this  UNBELIEF.  Espe- 
cially against  this  march  ofSocinianism  and  Arianism,  which  are  now 
invading  the  churches  under  various  disguises.  This  is  that  ''spirit 
of  error"  which  directly  or  indirectly  denies  "  that  the  Divine  nature 
of  Jesus  was  the  Son  of  God,"  although  "  the  Almighty"  personally 
declared  himself  fo  be  "  the  Son  of  God,"  in  the  Holy  Revelation. t 

This  doctrine  severs  "  the  SON"  from  the  Eternal  Holy  Trinity, 
established  by  the  "  crucified  LORD  OF  GLORY"*  himself,  namely, 

»  1  Cor.  ii.  8.  t  See  Rev.  i.  S,  and  ii.  18. 


XXXU  TO  THE  READER. 

"  The  Father,  the  SON,  and  Holy  Ghost."  Matt,  xxviii.  18-20. 
Therefore,  no  man  who  denies  the  Eternity  of  the  Son,  the  second 
person  in  this  tri-unity,  can  in  any  sense  be  a  Trinitarian. 

We  trust,  that,  in  collating  in  this  volume  the  numerous  Scriptures 
on  this  all-important  subject,  all  sincere  inquirers  will  find  in  the 
perusal  of  them,  that  the  "  SON"  Jesus  Christ  is  the  TRIUNE  and 
"  TRUE  GOD,"  and  the  ««Z(/'e"  of  their  souls.  1  John  v.  12. 

And  they  will  then  believe  the  glorious  record  of  the  evangelist 
without  a  doubt— that  "  The  First  and  the  Last,  which  WAS 
DEAD,"  (Rev.  ii.  8,)  is  «  THE  ALMIGHTY,"  "  who  loved  us  and 
washed  us  from  our  sins  in  HIS  OWN  BLOOD."  Rev.  i.  5,  8. 

The  Apostle  testifies  that  "  no  man  can  say  that  JESUS  IS  THE 
LORD,  but  by  the  Holy  Ghost."  1  Cor.  xii.  3.  By  which  we  under- 
stand that  it  requires  the  immediate  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
through  the  new  birth,  to  believe  without  a  doubt,  that,  besides 
Jesus,  "  the  First  and  the  Last  which  was  dead,''^  "  there  is  no 
God."   Rev.  ii.  8;  Isa.  xlIv.  6. 

The  way  to  obtain  this*  new  birth,  and  the  holy  joy  it  communi- 
cates, is  pointed  out  in  the  following  pages.  We  have  found  experi- 
m.entally,  and  from  more  than  twenty  years'  observation,  that  it  is 
an  instantaneous  act  of  Jesus  through  his  unmerited  mercy.  And  we 
believe  that  all  his  children  should  obey  the  commandment,  "  Cry 
out  and  shout,  thou  inhabitant  of  Zion,  for  great  is  the  HOLY  ONE 
of  Israel  in  the  midst  of  thee."  Isa.  xii.  6;  Acts  iii.  14. 

The  liberal  or  republican  form  of  church  government  to  be  found 
in  this  volume,  which  secures  the  freedom  of  its  members  from  secu- 
lar and  clerical  control,  and  from  pecuniary  taxation  to  support  a 
paid  ministry  (which  we  do  not  allow),  must  meet  the  approbation 
of  all  disinterested  persons.  Our  unfettered  Church  Government 
is  utterly  at  variance  with  the  union  of  church  and  state :  "  My  king- 
dom is  not  of  this  world,"  saith  the  Redeemer.  John  xviii.  36. 

The  executive  duties  of  the  Chief,  Slate,  and  Local  OVERSEERS 
periodically  elected,  will  ever  guard  this  church  from  Arianism, 
and  Socinianism,  Swedenborgianism,  Universalism,  and  the  more 
recent  errors  of  Clarkeite-ism  Hicksite-ism  and  Millerism.  Our 
church  government  also  secures  to  each  of  its  members  the  Gospel 
privilege  of  obeying,  without  control,  the  immediate  impulses  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  as  professed  by  the  ancient  Quakers. 

In  behalf  of  the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son. 

ROBERT  STREET,  Artist. 
Philadelphia,  January  1849. 


INTRODUCTION. 


Our  Holy  Redeemer,  immediately  before  he 
delivered  himself  up  to  be  crucified,  thus  instructs 
his  Apostles.  Ye  have  not  Chosen  me,  but  I  have 
Chosen  you,  and  ordained  you  THAT  YE  SHOULD 
GO  AND  BRING  FORTH  FRUIT,  and  that  your 
fruit  should  remain.    John  xv.  16. 

After  his  resurrection,  he  affectionately  interro- 
gates and  exhorts  Simon  Peter  thus,  ''Simon,  son 
of  Jonas,  lovest  thou  me  more  than  these  ?"  (Simon 
replied,)  ''Yea,  Lord,  thou  knowest  that  I  love 
thee.  He  saith  unto  him,  feed  my  lambs:"  and 
twice  repeats  "feed  my  sheep."  John  xxi.  15, 
16,  17.  Our  Lord,  in  these  texts,  commands  us  to 
''^  Bring  forth  fruit  f  and  affectionately  exhorts  us 
to  feed^  or  sustain  and  nourish  that  fruit,  so  that  it 
may  be  established  and  "remain." 

These  original  instructions  were  given  unto  the 
Church  of  the  Eternal  Son  by  the  SON  himself. 
Therefore  we  wish  the  reader  to  understand  dis- 
tinctly, that  the  object  of  this  Church  is,  first,  to 
awaken  in  the  souls  of  men  a  true  belief  \n  the  Di- 
vinity and  eternity  of  JESUS,  the  Son  of  God,  and 
to  gather  them,  and  all  the  true  and  believing  chil- 
dren of  God  into  One  Churchy  that  there  may  be 
^^  Onefold  and  one  Shepherd.^"*     John  x.  16. 

Secondly,  to  "bring  forth  fruit"  as  we  are  com- 
manded in  the  text  just  quoted,  that  is,  as  minis- 
2 


14  INTRODUCTION. 

ters,  teachers,  and  helps,  to  use  all  our  might,  mind, 
and  spiritual  strength,  as  instruments  to  persuade 
men  to  come  to  JESUS,  so  that  they  may  be  con- 
verted or  born  again.  And  this  is  effected  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  of  JESUS,  by  the  one  saving  baptism  of 
the  "  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire."  Matt.  iii.  10  ; 
Luke  iii.  16;  Acts  ii.  4,  xi.  15,  xv.  8,  9.  This 
is  our  great  and  principal  object  m  organizing  a  new 
church.  And,  thirdly,  to  obey  the  injunction  of 
Our  Master  to  Peter,  to  feed  his  "lambs"  and 
"  sheep,"  that  is,  that  such  of  us  as  5re  strong  in  the 
love  and  power  of  JESUS,  shall,  by  prayer,  by  per- 
suasion, and  teaching,  nourish  and  sustain  the 
sheep  and  lambs  of  Christ ;  and,  above  all,  by  an 
earnest  desire  in  the  secret  of  the  soul,  ask  the  Lord 
Jesus  to  let  our  ^^  peace"  the  "  comforter"  flow  into 
their  souls,  (John  vii.  38,)  and  rest  upon  them. 
This  is  our  privilege,  further  beautifully  expressed 
in  Matt.  x.  13.  And  the  promise  is,  we  "shall  be 
rewarded  openly."  Matt.  vi.  6.  We  desire,  ear- 
nestly, that  the  Lord  may  at  all  times  enable  us  to 
FEEL  the  worth  and  ?;aiwe  of  the  never-dying  souls 
of  men.  Our  Lord  saith,  Mark  viii.  36,  37,  "  For 
what  shall  it  profit  a  man  if  he  gain  the  whole 
world  and  lose  his  own  soul^  or  what  shall  a  man  give 
in  exchange  for  his  soul  ?" 

Thirdly,  we  believe  and  claim  all  the  promises, 
because  our  blessed  Lord  declared,  John  xiv.  12, 
*'  He  that  believeth  on  me,  the  works  that  I  do  he 
SHALL  DO  also."  Immediately  before  his  ascension 
into  Heaven,  he  tells  his  Apostles  that  "signs"  and 
w^onders  should  "  follow  them  that  believe" 
on  their  {the  Jlpostles'')  doctrine.  Mark  xvi.  17, 
18.  (The  Apostles  had  the  gifts  already  con- 
ferred on  them.  Luke  ix.  1.  So  had  the  seventy 
which  the  Lord  appointed  to  go  "before  his  face." 


INTRODUCTION.  15 

Luke  X.  1,  17.)     But  the  promise  in  Markxvi.  17, 
18,  was  to  THOSE  who  should  believe  through  the 

PREACHING  OF  THE  ApOSTLES. 

We,  therefore,  find  it  recorded  in  Acts  x.  45, 
*'  That  on  the  Gentiles  also  was  poured  out  the 
gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ;"  and  Saint  Peter  testifies, 
*'And  as  I  began  to  speak  the  Holy  Ghost  fell  on 

THEM  AS  ON  US  AT  THE    BEGINNING."       ActS    xi.    15. 

And  it  is  further  recorded,  ''  God  which  knoweth 
the  hearts  bear  them  witness,  GIVING  THEM 
THE  HOLY  GHOST  EVEN  AS  HE  DID  UNTO 
US,  AND  PUT  NO  DIFFERENCE  BETVv^EEN 
US  AND  THEM."  Acts  xv.  8,  9;  which  is  fur- 
ther confirmed  by  the  Apostle  Paul,  in  his  Epistle 
to  the  Corinthians,  12th  chapter,  first  to  fourteenth 
verses,  where  he  testifies,  that  the  gifts,  adminis- 
trations, and  operations,  promised  by  the  Saviour 
of  the  world,  were  bestowed  upon  the  members  of  the 
churches,  to  whom  he  wrote,  by  and  through  the 
gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  such  as  wisdom,  knowledge, 
faith,  gifts  of  healing,  miracles,  prophecy,  &c.  &c., 
and  all  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Saint 
James  also  bears  witness,  and  directs  (James  v. 
14,  15)  if  there  "  is  any  sick  among  you  let  him  call 
for  the  Elders  of  the  Church  ;  and  let  them  pray 
over  him,  anointing  him  with  oil  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord ;  and  the  prayer  of  faith  shall  save  the  sick, 
and  the  Lord  shall  raise  him  up  ;  and  if  he  have 
committed  sins^  they  shall  be  forgiven  himy  Ob- 
serve, his  sins  are  forgiven,  at  the  same  time,  and 
by  the  same  divine  operation. 

Now  WE  are  Gentiles  like  unto  the  Corinthians, 
and  as  "  God  is  no  respecter  of  persons,"  Acts  x. 
34,  and  the  promise  is  to  all  those  who  believe,  we^ 
the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son,  claim  the  promises, 
because  we  believe  that  besides  JESUS,  ^'the  First 


16  INTRODUCTION. 

and  the  Last,"  "THERE  IS  NO  GOD."  Lsa.xdv. 

6.  And  we  are  constrained  to  declare  that  if  there 
was  in  the  churches  a  true  belief'in  the  Lord  Jesus, 
the  blessings  and  signs  promised,  would  inevitably 
follow,  because  he  who  has  promised  them  is  "  true 
and  faithful,"  and  as  followers  of  Jesus,  we  are 
constrained  by  his  love,  to  believe  all  his  words. 
He  declares,  "He  that  rejpcteth  me,  and  receiveth 
not  MY  avords,  hath  one  that  judgeth  him,  the  w^ord 
TH.\T  I  HAVE  spoken,  the  Same  shall  judge  him  in 
the  last  day."  John  xii.  48.  This  is  an  awful 
consideration,  because  "we  must  all  appear  before 
the  judgment  seat  of  Christ." 

The  following  address  is  affectionately  offered  for 
the  consideration  of  all  those  who  are  determined, 
through  obedience^  to  make  their  "calling  and  elec- 
tion sure,"  2  Peter  i.  10,  And  also  for  the  exami- 
nation of  all  sincere  inquirers  after  truth.  And 
although  we  are  instructed  to  "desire"  and  "co- 
vet" "spiritual"  gifts,  because  they  are  ocular  evi- 
dences of  a  true  faith,  yet  that  which  we  desire 
most  of  all,  is  to  "  persuade  men"  to  believe  that 
JesuSj  our  Redeemer^  who  suffered  and  died  on 
Mount  Calvary,  and  whose  precious  blood  flowed 
from  his  hands,  his  feet,  and  side,  is  the  very  Eter- 
nal and  onli/  begotten  Son  of  God  the  Father,  and 
by  so  believing,  to  become  recrenerated  and  "born 
again,"  even  to  be  sealed  as  heirs  of  salvation  and 
eternal  life,  by  anrl  through  the  one  only  saving 
baptism  of  "  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire,"  Matt. 
iii.  11,  Luke  iii.  16;  which  the  Lord,  in  his  mercy, 
has  promised  to  bestow  upon  all  who  believingly 
ask  him  for  it.     Amen. 


PART  FIRST. 
INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

1.  An  earnest  and  affectionate  invitation  and  ad- 
dress of  the  Church  of  the  Eternal  SON,  who 
was  crucified,  to  the  regenerated  "  children  of  God, 
hy  faith  in  Christ  Jesus,"  (Gal.  iii.  26,)  also  to  all 
sincere  inquirers  after  truths  wherever  they  may  be, 
who,  although  unconverted  and  unregenerated,  yet 
have  made  no  Pharisaical  profession  of  religion,  by 
a  ceremonial  and  popular  union  with  one  of  the 
lukewarm  ''  Laodicean"  churches  of  the  present 
day  which  Jesus  rebukes.  See  Rev.  iii.  14,  17,  18. 

2.  But  particularly  we  address  all  who  love  the 
LORD  JESUS,  who  are  born  again  of  water  and 
the  SPIRIT,  John  iii.  3,  5;  who  have  a  '•^ full  as- 
surance offaith,^^  Heb.x.  22, (which  faith  we  believe 
w^ith  the  Apostle,  to  be  the  substance  of  things 
hoped  for,  as  he  says.  Now  faith  is  the  substance 
of  things  hoped  for,  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen. 
Hebrews  xi.  1.)      We  address  you  who  have  this 

faithy  who  are  scattered  throughout  the  churches 
and  the  world,  who  can  testify  with  the  inspired 
Apostle,  (Rora.  viii.  16,)  that  "  the  spirit  itself 
bears  witness  with  our  spirit  that  we  are  the  children 
of  God,  and  if  children,  then  heirs,  (Rom.  viii.  17  ;) 
who  then  (he  exclaims)  shall  separate  us  from  the 
2^ 


18  INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

love  ofChrist?"  (Rom.  viii.  35,)  for,  says  he,  "by 
one  offering  he  hath  perfected  forever  them  that 
are  sanctified^     Heb.  x.  14. 

3.  Beloved  brethren,  we  have  received,  in  his 
infinite  mercy,  the  same  blessed  assurance  from 
JESUS,  the  holy  lamb  himself,  who  is  *'  Lord  of 
LORDS  and  King  of  kings,"  (Rev.  xvii.  14,  xix.  16,) 
that  we  shall  never  perish.  His  gracious  words  are, 
*'  My  sheep  hear  my  voice,  and  /  know  thera,  and 
thirty  folloio  me,  and  I  give  unto  them  eternal  life, 
AND  THEY  SHALL  NEVER  PERISH,  neither 
shall  any  man  pluck  them  out  of  my  hand.^^  John  x. 
27,  28.  And  these  sheep  were  not  the  immediate 
Apostles  only,  for  Jesus  saith  "other  sheep  I  have, 
which  are  not  of  this  fold,  them  also,  I  must  bring, 
and  they  shall  hear  my  voice,  and  there  shall  be  one 

fold  and  one  shepherd^  John  x.  16. 

4.  In  the  love  of  the  Gospel  of  *'  the  Blessed 
Gno"  (1  Tim.  i.  11),  we  earnestly  and  affectionately 
a'Iflress  you,  and  invite  all  (f  you  who  have  been 
*'  baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire,"  and 
can  hear  the  voice  of  Jesus,  and  rejoice  in  the  holy 
''comforter,"  even  the  Divine  presence  of  Jesus  in 
your  souls.  You  who  are  from  the  general  declension 
of  faith  in  the  churches,  unequally  yoked  together 
as  the  Apostle  says,  2  Cor.  vi.  14,  with  unbelievers. 
Being  entangled  in  the  bondage  of  the  worldly, 
formal,  and  lifeless  churches  of  the  present  day. 
Where  3  our  spiritual  life  and  blessing  is  suppressed, 
^ri(.\  the  pure  and.  heavenly  arisings  of  the  holy  com- 
forter in  your  souls,  which  causes  you  at  all  times, 

and  particularly  when  separated  from  all  men,  and 
closeted  with  Jesus,  your  Saviour,  to  weep,  laugh, 
or  shout  for  joy,  Isa.  xii.  1-6,  as  the  holy  spirit 
giveth  utterance.  Even  these  manifestations  of  the 
Saviour's  love   and  mercy,  which  strengthen  and 


INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS.  19 

confirm  your  hope  of  salvation  and  eternal  life,  are 
hindered  and  stitled  through  the  unbelief  or  igno- 
rance of  those  around  you,  or  associated  with  yoa 
in  church  fellowship. 

5.  We,  therefore,  exhort  you  to  come  out  from 
amongst  tliem  as  you  are  commanded,  Isa.  Lii.  11  ; 
2  Cor.  vi.  17;  Rev.  xviii.  4,  and  unite  yourselves 
together  as  one  heart  and  one  soul.  Acts  iv.  32,  for 
the  holy  purpose  of  upholding  one  another  in  true 
and  living  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  "  Christ  cruci- 
fied," the  Eternal  and  only  begotten  Son  of  the 
Father;  and  for  the  support  and  propagation  of 
those  glorious  evidences  of  eternal  life  in  the  soul, 
which,  through  obedience  unto  faith,  enable  you  to 
believe  all  the  promises  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  even  the 
blessed  gifts  recorded  in  Saint  Paul's  Epistle,  1 
Corinthians,  xii.,  first  to  eleventh  verses. 

6.  The  Corinthians  and  oiher  churches  to  whom 
the  Apostle  wrote,  were  Gentiles  like  ourselves,  on 
whom  was  "  poured  out  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost," 
as  the  Apostle  thus  testifies:  *'  God  (says  he)  which 
knoweth  the  hearts  bare  them  witness,  giving  them 
(the  Gentiles)  the  Holy  Ghost,  even  as  he  did  unto 
us.''^  In  another  place  he  says  the  Holy  Ghost  fell  on 
them  (the  Gentiles)  as  on  us  at  the  beginning.  See 
Acts  XV.  8,  and  xi.  15.  And  they  of  the  circum- 
cision which  believed  were  astonished^  as  many  as 
came  with  Peter,  because  that  on  the  Gentiles  was 
poured  out  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Acts  x.  45. 

7.  This  confirms  the  prophecy  of  Joel  ii.  28,  32, 
and  further  recorded  in  Acts  ii.  17,  as  follows: 
"And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  the  last  days,  saith 
God,  I  will  pour  out  my  spirit  upon  all  fleshy  and 
your  sons  and  your  daughters  shall  prophecy."  This 
we  believe  is  the  will  of  God  even  now  as  at  the 
beojlnninoj. 


20  INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

8.  Concerning  spiritual  gifts  the  Apostle  says : 
"Now  there  are  diversities  of  gifts,  but  the  samespirit^ 
and  there  are  differences  of  administrations,  but  the 
same  Lord,  and  there  are  diversities  of  operations, 
but  it  is  the  same  God  which  worketh  all  in  all. 
But  the  manifestation  of  the  spirit  is  given  to  every 
man  to  profit  withal,"  (see  the  Saviour's  promise, 
John  xiv.  21,)  which  we  as  a  church  understand  to 
mean,  to  "  every  man  who  is  born  again,"  for  the 
world,  saith  Jesus,  neither  "  seeth  nor  knoweth" 
the  spirit.  John  xiv.  17.  The  Apostle  then  con- 
tinues, ''For  to  one  is  given,  by  the  spirit,  the  word 
of  wisdom,  to  another  the  word  of  knowledge  by 
the  same  spirit,  to  another  faith,  by  the  same  spirit, 
to  another  the  gifts  of  healing,  by  the  same  spirit, 
to  another  the  w^orking  of  miracles,  to  another  pro- 
phecy, to  another  discerning  of  spirits ;  but  all 
these  worketh  that  one  and  the  selfsame  spirit  divid- 
ing to  every  man  severally  as  hewill.''^  See  1  Cor. 
xii.  1  to  11  verses. 

9.  We  believe  those  gifts,  administrations,  and 
operations,  are  now  attainable,  by  and  through  a 
living  faith  in  the  divinity,  eternity,  omnipotence, 
and  omnipresence  of  Jesus  the  Eternal  Son,  who 
was  crucified.  He  who  died  for  us  on  Mount 
Calvary,  who  was  born  at  Bethlehem  Judea,  in  a 
manger,  and  grew^  up  to  manhood,  who  was  a  true 
and  very  man  like  unto  us,  sin  excepted,  yet  was,  at 
the  same  time,  "the  Lord  Almighty,"  and  "  maker 
of  the  w^orlds,"  and  of  all  things  unexceptionably. 
This  is  the  doctrine  of  the  Church  of  the  Eternal 
Son  which  addresses  you. 

10.  Beloved  brethren,  we  invite  you  to  unite 
with  us  "  in  the  unity  and  bond  of  peace,"  where 
you  can  give  utterance  to  the  fullness  of  the  blessing 
of  the  Gospel  of  Christ;  Rom.  xv.  29 ;  where  the 


INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS.  21 

^vord  of  the  Lord  has  free  course ;  2  Thes.  ill.  1  ; 
and  where  none  are  admitted  into  fellowship  who 
deny  the  Eternal  Sonship  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  or 
would  hinder  the  happy  soul  from  singing  or  shout- 
i-ng  the  praises  of  Immanuel,  who  died  for  us,  or 
obeying  the  diversities  of  operations  as  dictated  and 
directed  by  the  Holy  Spirit  in  his  immediate  com- 
munion with  the  soul,  as  is  exemplified  in  an  espe- 
cial manner  with  true  believers,  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 


CHAPTER  n. 

1.  These  holy  gifts  and  operations  have  been 
more  or  less  manifested  among  the  living  members 
of  the  Spiritual  (though  hidden)  Church  of  Christ, 
ever  since  the  Gospel  dispensation. 

2.  But  in  an  especial  manner  since  the  Reforma- 
tion. Within  the  last  two  centuries  there  are  and 
have  been,  true  testimony  bearers  in  many  Protest- 
ant churches,  and  some  not  connected  with  any 
visible  church,  who  have  heard  the  i^oice  of  Jesus, 
and  have  followed  him  and  have  received  the  pro- 
mises. They  know  him  to  be  wonderful,  and  a 
COUNSELLOR,  Isa.  ix.  6;  and  know  His  holy  voice 
from  that  of  all  strangers. 

3.  As  he  declares  a  stranger  \\\\\  they  not  follow, 
for  they  hear  not  the  voice  q{  strangers.  John  x.  5. 
These  are  the  true  children  of  God,  and  ^^  heirs  of 
salvation,"  Heb.  i.  14,  and  of  glory.  They  have 
an  immediate  and  special  voice,  and  testimony  from 
"  the  Lord,"  which  counsels,  "leads"  and  "guides 
them,"  as  our  Holy  Redeemer  assures  us,  John 
xvi.  L3,  "into  all  truth." 


22  INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

4.  This  voice  and  "  testimony"  is  clear  and  dis- 
tinct from  all  natural  creaturely  thoughts  or  im- 
aginations, as  the  truly  regenerated  amongst  the 
Methodists  know  from  blessed  experience.  The 
natural  thoughts  are,  by  every  true  Christian,  cast 
down,  as  the  Apostle  declares.  2  Cor.  x.  5.  That 
they,  the  children  of  God,  cannot  be  deceived  by 
any  false  voice,  or  the  testimony  of  any  stranger  to 
Jesus^  or  to  the  Holy  Spirit  or  Comforter.  We  say 
they  cannot  be  deceived  by  these  strangers,  be  they 
of  the  ''  world,  the  flesh,  or  the  devil." 

5.  ''  The  world,"  that  is,  the  people  of  this 
world,  no  matter  whether  in  or  oiU  o^  the  churches, 
if  they  are  unregenerated  and  have  not  been  "born 
AGAIN  of  water  and  the  spirit,"  or  "  baptized  with 
the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire,"  John  iii.  5,  Matt.  iii. 
11,  we  say  the  world,  according  to  the  testimony  of 
Jesus  himself,  know  nothing  of  the  Holy  Spirit  or 
Comforter;  they  are  entirely  ignorant  of  Him, 
and  neither  see  nor  know  Him.  This  our.  Lord 
absolutely  declares  in  his  last  discourse,  whilst  in 
the  flesh  upon  earth,  to  his  Apostles. 

6.  But  we  wilt  give  the  sacred  record  :  "I  will 
pray  the  Father,  saith  Jesus,  and  he  shall  give  you 
another  comforter,  that  He  may  abide  with  you  for- 
ever, even  the  spirit  of  truth  whom  the  world  can- 
not RECEIVE,  because  it  seeth  him  not,  neither 
KNOWETH  HIM.  But  YE  know  Him,  for  He  dwell- 
eth  with  you,  and  shall  be  in  you."  John  xiv. 
16,  17.  Our  Lord,  in  the  above  words,  draws  an 
absolute  line  of  distinction  between  the  children 
of  God  and  the  people  of"  this  world.  Mark  dis- 
tinctly, he  says,  the  world  cannot  receive  the  spirit 
of  truth,  which  is  the  comforter  and  Holy  Ghost, 
because  it  seeth  him  not,  neither  knoweth  him. 
Saint  John  testifies,  "And  we  know  that  we  are  of 


INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS.  23 

God^  and    the   wJwle   world   lieth   in  vnckedness.'^^ 
1  John  V.  19. 

7.  And  although  the  "grace  of  God,  which  bring- 
efh  salvation,  hath  appeared  to  all  men,^^  Titus  ii. 
11,  which  grace,  through  the  favor  or  kindness  of 
God,  by  his  spirit  operates  and  "strives"  through 
"  the  law,"  commandments,  and  the  "  Gospel,"  on 
the  consciences  of  all  men  unexceptionably.  Yet 
the  Lord  Jesus,  "  our  righteousness,"  absolutely 
tells  us  that  none  but  his  sheep,  his  new  horn  chil- 
dren KNOW  HIM  or  his  VOICE,  or  know  the  true  wit- 
ness, which  is  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Spirit  o/*  Truth 
or  Comforter, 

8.  So  that  the  doctrine  is  conclusive  and  true, 
that  that  glorious  evidence  and  state  of  the  soul 
which  Saint  Paul  speaks  of,  where  "  the  spirit  itself 
bears  witness  with  our  spirits,  that  we  are  the  chil- 
dren of  God,  Rom.  viii.  16,  cannot  be  comprehended, 
known,  or  experienced,  but  by  those  who  are  born 
AGAIN  and  baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with 
fire. 

9.  We,  therefore,  exhort  you,  beloved  brethren 
in  Christ  Jesus,  to  come  out  of  the  Laodicean 
formal  churches.  There  are  many  who  are  "  born 
again^^  who  are  not  connected  with  any  established 
church,  who  have  stood  separate,  having  the  Lord 
Jesus  for  their  counsellor  and  guide ;  such  we  also 
exhort  to  come  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord.  And 
although  ye  "  need  not  that  any  man  teach  you," 
as  Saint  John  testifies,  "  The  anointing  which  ye 
have  received  ofhim  ahideth  in  you,  and  ye  need  not 
that  any  man  teach  you,  as  the  same  anointing 
teacheth  you  all  things  and  is  truth."  1  John  ii.  27.. 
And  Jesus  himself  declares  will  guide  unto  all  truth. 
John  xvi.  13. 

10.  Yet  such  is  the  acknowledged   dearth  and 


24  ADDRESS  TO  THE  SEEKERS. 

desolation  of  spiritual  life^  in  all  Christendom,  that 
we  exhort  all  of  you,  who  have  made  your  "calling 
and  election  sure,"  whether  in  or  out  of  the  esta- 
blished churches,  to  assist  us  (by  uniting  with 
us  in  church  fellowship),  in  establishing  and 
confirming,  as  in  the  original  apostolical  ages,  the 
Holy  "  Church  of  God  which  he  hath  purchased 
WITH  HIS  OWN  BLOOD."  Acts  xx.  28. 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  SEEKERS. 


CHAPTER  HI. 

1.  And  yoQ  sincere  seekers  after  truths  who  are 
striving  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  who  have 
never  bowed  before  the  Lord  in  hypocrisy  or  deceit, 
nor  outwardly  approached  the  divine  being,  when 
inwardly  the  heart  was  resting  with  the  idols  of 
this  world,  like  the  cold  formalists  of  the  ceremonial 
Laodicean  churches. 

2.  We  exhort  you  very  aflectionately,  we  feel 
for  you;  we  love  you  in  our  measure  as  Christ 
loved  us,  when  we  were  yet  sinners,  as  the  Apostle 
declares,  while  we  were  yet  sinners  Christ  died  for 
us  (Rom.  V.  8). 

3.  When  we  were  yet  unconverted,  Christ  laid 
down  his  life  for  us,  and  he  declares:  "  Ye  have 
not  chosen  me,  but  /  have  chosen  you."  John 
XV.  16.  We  invite  you,  and  solicit  you  to  carefully 
read  this  address. 

4.  And  although  you  are  in  doubts  and  fears, 
and  "have  not  faith,"  neither  are  you  satisfied  that 
you  even  believe  many  of  the  sayings  of  Jesus,  or 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  SEEKERS.  25 

that  he  is  your  "Lord  and  God"  and  only  Saviour. 
Acts  iv.  10,  11,  12;  Isaiah  XLii.  11. 

5.  Yet  you  feel  a  sincere  desire  to  know  the 
truth,  and  often  wish,  in  the  secret  of  your  hearts, 
that  you  were  better.  That  you  could  resist  tempta- 
tion and  sin,  knowing  that  your  thoughts  and  acts 
are  not  acceptable  unto  God,  and  of  a  nature  to 
meet  the  approbation  of  a  pure  and  Holy  Being. 

6.  Although  to  the  world  you  may  appear  moral, 
and  have  the  reputation  of  being  honest  and  up- 
right, yet  ''  God  which  knoweth  the  hearts,"  Acts 
XV.  8,  hath  in  his  infinite  mercy  been  graciously 
pleased  to  grant  you  his  grace,  and  has  taught  you 
a  better  understanding  of  yourself. 

7.  His  spirit  of  grace  has,  at  times  and  seasons 
of  trial,  awakened  within  you  a  conviction  of  your 
own  unworthiness^  and  of  the  sinfulness  of  your 
nature,  and  utter  incapacity  to  do  the  w^ill  of  your 
Maker.  And  you  have  been  ready  w-ith  the  Apostle 
to  exclaim,  "0  wretched  man  that  I  am,  who  shall 
deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death  ?"  Rom. 
vii.  24. 

8.  You  have  sighed  and  secretly  mourned  over 
an  innate  depravity,  which  you  have  in  vain  tried 
to  conquer,  and  have  often  in  the  secret  misgivings 
of  your  soul,  thought  that  the  way  of  salvation  and 
eternal  life  was  hedged  or  closed  up  from  you  by 
insurmountable  barriers. 

9.  Or,  that  perhaps  you  had  committed  some 
*'sin  unto  death."  1  John  v.  16.  Which  God  would 
not,  consistent  with  his  justice,  pardon. 

10.  It  is  such  as  you  we  address  in  Gospel  love, 
and  sympathize  with;  we  who  address  you,  have 
passed  through  much  tribulation.  We  have  our- 
selves been  delivered  from  the  dark  chambers  of 
deaths  and  out  of  the  grasp  of  our  implaacble  and 

3 


26  ADDRESS  TO  THE  SEEKERS. 

inexorable  adversary  "  the  Devil,"  1  Pet.  v.  8, 
through  the  sufferings,  death,  and  resurrection  of 
JESUS,  the  Eternal  and  only  begotten  son  of 
the  Father. 

11.  We  therefore  (now  that  our  spirits  and  souls 
have  been  set  at  liberty)  see  the  "gulf"  over 
which  we  have  passed,  as  our  Lord  calls  it  in  the 
parable  of  Dives  and  Lazarus. 

12.  And  rejoice  with  a  joy  and  happiness  which 
none  can  appreciate,  but  those  who  have  thus 
escaped.  Jesus  has  enabled  us  by  his  might  and 
power,  to  triumph  over  our  fallen  accuser  and 
enemy.    John  xii.  31. 

13.  When  we  are  now  assailed  by  his  tempta- 
tions (for  none  are  exempt  during  this  life  from  his 
assaults)  we  flee  to  JESUS,  the  "  Lion  of  the  tribe 
OF  Judah"  (according  to  the  flesh),  and  the  cap- 
tain of  our  salvation,  who  opens  the  gates  of  heaven 
to  our  souls,  and  hides  us  in  his  kingdom,  which, 
as  he  declares  is  within  us,  (Luke  xvii.  21,)  where 
we  are  safe  from  all  the  enemy's  snares  and  tempta- 
tions. 

14.  We  will  now  endeavor,  with  the  help  and 
blessing  of  God,  to  open  a  way  of  escape  (through 
the  precepts  of  the  Holy  Bible,  and  our  own  experi- 
ence) for  all  sincere  seekers. 

15.  First,  of  doubts  and  fears;  these  generally 
arise  from  false  instructions  in  our  youth.  We  all 
recollect  how  hard  it  has  been  to  combat  the  pre- 
judices of  early  youth;  they  take  root  in  the  mind 
and  are  hard  to  eradicate  or  pluck  out. 

16.  The  Hindoo,  the  Mahometan,  and  the  Roman 
Catholic  all  die  alike,  without  doubt  or  fear,  be- 
cause they  are  taught  from  early  youth  to  confide  in 
the  faith  of  their  fathers,  or  the  power  of  their 
priests,  to  absolve  them  from  sin. 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  SEEKERS.  27 

17.  The  same  confiding  trust  would  follow  the 
children  of  the  Protestant  faith,  if  thus  taught  from 
early  youth,  to  place  implicit  reliance  on  the  promises 
of  the  Lord  Jesus,  an^  his  entire  avillingness  to 
forgive  us  our  sins,  and  absolve  us  from  all  future 
penalties,  and  this  he  has  promised. 

18.  The  promise  of  our  blessed  Lord  is,  "  he  that 
COMETH  to  ME  shall  NEVER  HUNGER,  and  he  that 
BELiEVETH  on  me  shall  never  thirst;  and  him  that 
Cometh  to  me  I  WILL  IN  NO  WISE  CAST  OUT." 
John  vi.  35,  37.  The  thief  on  the  cross  was  par- 
doned^ and  that  very  day  taken  to  Paradise  by  an 
act  of  faith  only,  Luke  xxiii.  42,  43,  without 
apparent  exterior  good  works. 

19.  You  who  have  doubts  and  fears  can  plead 
the  above  promise  ;  he  said  "I  will  in  no  i^we  cast 
(you)  out."  But  like  the  thief  on  the  cross,  you 
must  hdiVQ faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus;  you  must  believe 
him  to  be  your  "  Master  and  Lord,"  and  with 
Thomas  "your  LORD  AND  GOD,"  and  then  he 
will  see  and  know,  for  he  knoweth  your  heart  that 
you  BELIEVE  on  him,  and  he  will  remove  your  doubts 
and  allay  your  fears. 

20.  But  you  may  feel  that  you  do  not  fully 
believe,  that  you  are  weak  in  faith.  Your  remedy 
then,  is  a  very  simple  and  puj-e  one,  (namely,)  you 
must  then  ^^  ask.^^  Jesus  says,  "ask  and  ye  shall 
RECEIVE,"  and  this  may  be  depended  upon;  for 
JESUS  always  speaks  the  truth.  You  can  say.  Lord 
Jesus,  increase  my  faith  in  thee;  Lord,  increase  and 
strengthen  my  belief  in  thee  and  thy  sayings. 

21.  If  your  faith  in  prayer  is  very  weak,  you  can 
repeatedly  say  every  day.  Lord  Jesus,  help  me  to 
pray.  Grant  me,  O  Lord,  the  spirit  of  prayer.  If 
you  repeat  this  several  times  a  day  with  your  weak 
faith,  you  will  soon  find  an  increase  of  power  to  pray^ 


■28  ADDRESS  TO  THE  SEEKERS. 

and  when  this  takes  place,  your  faith  and  belief  w'lW 
be  imraedia^^ely  increased  also,  and  you  will  now 
begin  secretly  to  hope. 

22.  Doubts  may  now  arise  through  the  idles  of 
Satan^  relative  to  the  divinity  and  eternity  of  the 
SON  of  God,  even  JESUS,  who  died  and  gave  him- 
self for  you  and  us,  and  "washed  us"  "in  his  owx 
BLOOD."  Rev.  i.  5.  But  you  must  resolutely  combat 
your  enemy,  hy  prayer^  if  assailed  by  temptation  to 
doubt  the  divinity  of  Jesus,  the  man  who  died  (or  you 
on  Calvary,  and  saved  vou  by  the  blood  fo  his  cross. 

23.  You  can  then  cry  incessantly  in  your  spirit, 
Lord  Jesus,  thou  hast  promised  the  Holy  Spirit  to 
them  that  ask  thee  for  Him.  0  Lord!  forgive  me 
my  sins,  and  grant  thy  Holy  Spirit  to  me  according 
to  thy  promise. 

24.  And  he  will  hear  your  supplications,  and 
open  the  (rates  of  heaven  to  your  soul,  for  this  is  the 
true  knocking  mentioned  in  Matthew  vii.  7,  8. 

25.  And  when  he  has  prepared  your  soul  to  be- 
come a  dwelling  place,  and  receptacle  for  his  Holy 
Spirit,  he  will  come  into  your  soul  with  his  father 
(for  the  Father  always  dwelleth  in  him)  and  they 
are  one,  John  x.  30;  they  will  come  in  to  you  as 
he  hath  promised  ;  and  he  declares  "  we  will  make 
our  ABODE  with  him,"  John  xiv.  23,  "  and  sup  with 
him."  Rev.  iii.  20.  O,  it  is  a  £[lorious  and  joyful 
supper,  thus  to  partake  of  JESUS,  the  "true  and 
LIVING  BREAD,"  in  its  fullncss. 

26.  You  will  then  comprehend  with  "joy  un- 
speakable and  full  of  glory"  the  saying  of  Jesus 
your  Saviour  and  Holy  Redeemer.  John  vi.  57. 
He  that  eateth  me,  shall  live  by  me;  as  the  pro- 
phet says,  "  he  will  open  vou  the  windows  of  heaven 
and  pour  you  out  a  blessing  that  there  shall  not  be 
room  enough  to  receive  it."  Mai,  iii.  10. 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  SEEKERS.  29 

27.  And  when  you  thus  receive  the  Holy  Baptism 
of  the  Spirit  from  the  bountiful  giver,  you  will  then 
realize  that  which  the  Apostle  has  written,  1  Corin- 
thians xii.  3;  namely,  "no  man  can  say  that 
JESUS  is  THE  Lord,  but  hy  the  Holy  Ghost  ;" 
*'He"   (our  Lord  declared,  John  xv.  26,)  "shall 

TESTIFY  OF  ME." 

28.  You  will  then  call  Jesus  Lo*d,  from  the  im- 
mediate impulse  of  the  Holy  Spirit  himself;  and 
you  will  then  realize  in  your  own  experience^  that 
JESUS  is  "the  WAY,  the  TRUTH,  and  the 
LIFE."  And  that  there  can  be  no  other  way^  no 
other  truth^  nor  life;  and  that  no  man  can  come  unto 
the  Father  but  by  him,  as  he  hath  declared. 

29.  You  will  then  find,  as  we  have  found,  that 
the  holy  name  JESUS  is  precious   to  your  soul,  is 

food  and  life,  and  salvation  to  your  soul;  and  that 
you  have  an  immediate  and  present  help  in  every 
time  of  need.  And  you  will  often  in  the  joy  of 
your  soul,  cry  out  with  the  Psalmist,  "thou  art 
my  hiding  place  and  my  shield,"  (Ps.  cxix.  114) 
O  Lord! 

30.  You  will  now  see  the  awful  "gulf  you 
have  passed  over,  as  Jesus  declared  and  repeated 
three  times  in  succession,  in  the  Gospel  of  St.  Mark 
ix.  44,  46,  48  ;  his  words  are,  where  their  "  worm 
dieth  not,  and  the  fire  is  not  quenched;"  you 
will  see  that  this  is  the  "gulf"  you  have  passed 
over;  and  then  you  will  have  a  love  for  your  fellow 
men,  an  ardent  love  for  their  souls  which  will  com- 
pel you,  or  ^^ constrain^ ^  you,  as  the  apostle  says,  to 
warn  them  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come. 
Matt.  iii.  7,  Luke  iii.  7,  Rev.  vi.  16,  17,  from  the 
fire  that  is  not  quenched.  And  you  will  then  be 
one  in  spirit  with  the  church  of  the  Eternal  Son, 
and  will  wonder  how  in  the  days  of  your  "  igno- 

3* 


30  ADDRESS  TO  THE  SEEKERS. 

ranee"  you  could  deliberately  call  Jesus  your 
Saviour,  a  liar,  by  denying  his  holy  words  and 
sayings. 

31.  For  every  one  who  loilfully  denies  one  of 
the  sayings,  or  declarations  of  JESUS  (the  eternal 
AND  only  begotten  SON  of  the  Father)  deliberately 
calls  his  Maker  a  liar. 

32.  For  JESJJS  is  the  very  embodiment  of 
truth,  the  very  truth  itself.  And  therefore, 
when  we,  the  church  of  the  Eternal  Son  quote  any 
of  the  sayings  of  JESUS,  we  quote  "  the  truth;" 
and  every  one  who  denies^  or  garbles ,  or  "wrests," 
or  wilfully  misconstrues  any  of  his  words  or  sayings, 
calleth  Jesus  a  liar. 

33.  He  therefore  declares  positively,  the  words 
that  I  have  spoken  unto  you,  the  same  shall 
condemn  you  in  the  last  day.  John  xii.  48. 

34.  But  even  these  sins  he  has  promised  to  for- 
give, and  says,  all  manner  of  sins  and  blasphemy 
wherewith  men  blaspheme  shall  be  forgiven  unto 
men.     But  the  blasphemy  against  the  Holy  Ghost 

■shall  not  be  forgiven  unto  men,  neither  in  this 
worlds  neither  in  the  world  to  come.  Matt.  xii. 
31,32.  "Because  they  said"  (says  the  Apostle) 
"he  had  an  unclean  spirit."  Mark  iii.  30. 

35.  So  that  there  is  a  hope  for  all  who  seek  the 
redemption  of  their  souls;  and  all  who  will  come 
moy  come  and  partake  of  the  "  water  of  life  freely." 
So  saith  Jesus,  our  Almighty  deliverer.  We  now 
commend  you  to  Him  and  his  Holy  Spirit  of 
Grace,  which  he  has  promised  to  give  to  all  those 
who  humbly  ask  him  for  it. — Amen. 


31 


CHAPTER  IV. 

CONTINUATION  OF  THE  ADDRESS  TO  THE 
CHILDREN  OF  GOD. 

1.  It  is  generally  acknowledged  by  all  sincere 
men  in  all  the  churches,  to  be  a  lamentable  cir- 
cumstance, that  there  is  a  gre?ii  foiling  off  of  foith^ 
and  spiritual  life ;  and  a  great  dearth  and  dryness  in 
the  members  of  the  various  churches  of  the  present 
day.  And  this  falling  off,  and  degeneracy,  we 
believe,  is  the  result  of  unbelief  in  the  son  of  God. 
For  JESUS  saith,  "  he  that  cometh  to  me  shall  never 
hunger,  and  he  that  believeth  on  me  shall  never 
(hirst.  St.  John  vi.  35.  And  we  verily  believe,  as 
a  church,  that  the  desolation  which  exists  at  the 
present  day  in  the  churches,  is  the  result  of  un- 
belief in  the  Divinity,  Eternity,  Omnipotence,  and 
Omnipresence  of  the  LORD  JESUS,  the  MAN 
who  disd  for  us  on  Mount  Calvary.  Because  those 
who  believe  on  kim^  as  we  have  just  quoted,  shall 
never  hunger  nor  thirst,  therefore  there  can  be  no 
other  cause. 

2.  Beloved  brethren,  we  earnestly  exhort  you  in 
the  love  of  the  Gospel,  to  look  around  you,  and 
examine  one  by  one  your  associates  in  church  fel- 
lowship, as  to  their  belief  in  the  diviniti'  of  JESUS, 
and  you  will  find  that  they  will  generally  stumble 
at  that  "  stumbling  stone  and  rock  of  offence^^"* 
Isa.  viii.  14,  the  humanity^  as  it  is  called,  of  our 
holy  and  glorious  Lord  and  Saviour. 

3.  Ask  your  associates  the  followinoj  true  ques- 
tions, as  believed  by  the  church  of  the  Eternal  Son, 
namely;  if  they  believe  the  man  Christ  Jesus,  who 
suffered  and  was  ^^  afflicted j"*^  is  God  their  Maker, 


32  INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

they  will  answer  oh,  no!  that  is  the  human  nature. 
Ask  them  if  God  died  on  the  cross ^  they  will  answer, 
no ;  that  is  impossible,  it  was  the  humanity,  God 
cannot  die.  Ask  them  if  Christ  as  God  suffered, 
they  will  answer,  no ;  God  cannot  svffer. 

4.  Ask  them  if  JESUS  is  the  almighty  mediator, 
they  will  answer,  no ;  he  is  the  mediator  only.  Ask 
them  if  JESUS,  the  son  of  God,  is  the  Lord  Jehovah 
who  spake  to  Moses  and  the  Prophets,  they  will 
answer,  oh,  no;  he  was  then  *Mn  the  bosom  of  the 
Faiher^^''  or,  as  some  will  say,  in  the  divine  mind. 

5.  Ask  them  if  they  believe  that  the  holy  man, 
who  agonized  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemane,  and 
who  said,  0  my  Father,  if  it  be  possible,  let  this  cup 
pass  from  me;  nevertheless,  not  as  I  will,  but  as 
thou  wilt,  Matt.  xxvi.  39;  is  the  Lord  of  Hosts 
and  Maker  of  all  things,  they  will  answer,  no. 
It  was  the  human,  united  to  divine  nature  that  thus 
prayed  ;  it  was  the  human  nature  that  drank  the  cup 
of  stiff ering  only  ;  God  cannot  suffer. 

6.  Ask  them  if  it  was  the  eternal  Son  of  God 
w^ho  MADE  all  things,  who  cried  on  the  cross,  ^'My 
God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  ybr5a/ce?i  me?"  and 
they  will  answer,  oh,  no,  it  was  the  human  nature 
which  was  hypostatically  united  to  the  divine  nature, 
w^ho  suffered  all  these  things;  and  thus  they  abso- 
lutely deny  that  the  eternal  Son  of  God  (if  they 
believe  in  him  at  all)  suffered. 

7.  And  they  are  Arians  or  Socinians  at  heart, 
and  deny  all  that  is  true.  We,  therefore,  say,  that 
those  who  thus  deny  that  "JESUS  is  the  Christ," 
1  John  V.  1,  DO  NOT  believe  on  him.  Because  they 
do  not  believe  that  the  eternal  Word,  which  was 
God^  "  was  madeflesh,"^^  and  became  man  and  dwelt 
amongst  us,  as  is  absolutely  declared  by  the  Apostle, 
John  i.   10,  14;  and  by  the  Lord  Jesus  himself, 


INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS.  33 

John    vi.    38,   62 ;    where   Jesus    incontrovertibly 
assures  us  he  was  in  heaven  before. 

8.  He  positively  tells  them,  when  Philip  put 
the  question,  show  us  the  Father  and  it  sufficeth, 
John  xiv.  7  ;  that  those  who  saio  him^  knew,  *'  and 
have  SEEN  the  father."  We,  therefore,  say,  that 
it  is  the  unbelief  of  professors  of  religion  in  the 
divinity  of  Jesus  "the  son  of  man"  and  son  of 
the  Father,  that  at  all  times  produces  the  spiritual 
death  in  the  churches. 


CHAPTER  V. 

1.  This  unbelief  in  the  laity  may  be  principally 
attributed  to  the  want  of  belief  in  the  ministers,  or 
clergy,  who  preside  over  the  churches. 

2.  Firstly,  by  denying  the  eternal  sonship  of 
JESUS,  the  "son  of  man,"  who  sufTered  and  died 
for  us.  Secondly,  by  denying  him  to  be  their  ini- 
mediate  and  only  Saviour.  Isa.  Lxiii.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5  ; 
XLiv.  6.  Thirdly,  by  denying  him  to  be  the  "  TRUE 
GOD,"  John  V.  20. 

3.  Fourthly,  by  denying  him  to  be  the  spiritual 
ROCK  that  followed  our  forefathers  in  the  wilderness, 
as  the  Apostle  testifies,  I  Cor.  x.  4;  and  consequently 
the  Lord  Jehovah,  and  the  almighty  which  he  is, 
(see  in  connection  Deut.  xxxii.  39,  40 ;  Isa.  xlv.  6  ; 
and  Rev.  i.  8,  13,  17,  18,)  which  is  conclusive. 
Fifthly,  by  denying  that  he  who  "was  God,"  John 
i.  1,  2;  came  down  from  heaven^  John  vi.  38;  and 
mediated  betw^een  man  and  the  penalty  of  the 
broken  law  in  the  garden  of  Eden,  and  thus  recon- 
ciled man  unto  himself.   See  Isa.  xLiv.  6. 

4.  We  say,  by  denying  this  divine  being  to  he 


34  INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

God,  they  deny  the  son  to  be  one  of  the  God- 
head, and  consequently  one  of  the  Holy  Trinity. 
The  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  thus  de- 
nominated or  called,  by  the  Lord  of  life  and  glory 
himself  after  his  resurrection.  Matt,  xxviii.  19. 
Sixthly,  and  lastly,  these  truths  they  deny,  because 
as  the  Apostle  declares,  they  stumbled  at  that  stum- 
hling'Stone  as  we  before  stated,  the  humanity  or 
human  nature.  Isa.  viii.  14;  Rom.  ix.  32,  33. 

5.  For  by  adopting  the  theory  of  Athanasius,  and 
others,  of  an  hypostasis,  or  distinctive,  or  separate 
union  of  two  whole  and  distinct  natures  in  Jesus,  the 
one  divine,  and  the  other  human,  they  have  paid 
homage  to  the  sentiments  and  '^  doctrines  of  man" 
rather  than  to  the  holy  records  of  God. 

6.  Which  declare  that  the  "Eternal  Liee," 
1  John  i.  2,  which  "was  God,"  was  "MADE 
FLESH"  "and  dwelt  among  us,"  and  as  Saint 
John  declares,  1  John  i.  2,  "that  which  was  in  the 
beginning,  ('  in  the  beginning  was  the  Word,'') 
which  we  have  heard,  which  we  have  seen  with 
our  eyes,  which  we  have  looked  upon,  and  our 
HANDS  HAVE  HANDLED  OF  THE  WORD 
OF  LIFE;  for  the  life  was  manifested  and  we  have 
seen  it,  and  bear  witness,  and  show  unto  you  that 
eternal  life  which  was  with  the  Father  and  was 
manifested  unto  us^ 

7.  This  passage  of  Holy  Writ  is  so  comprehen- 
sive, and  plain,  that  it  is  impossible  for  any  serious 
minded  man  to  misconstrue  its  meaning,  which  is, 
that  the  eternal  w^ord  and  eternal  life,  which 
WAS  God,  was  made  flesh  and  became  man.  John 
i.  1,  14.  By  which  mysterious  incarnation  and 
divine  assimilation  with  our  flesh,  St.  John  declared 
he  heard,  looked  upon,  and  handled  with  his 
HANDS  the  eternal  word,  which  "was  god,"  the 


INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS.  35 

light^  the  life^  and  the  MAKER  of  the  -worlds,  John 
i.  3;  and  this  glorious  being  is  declared  to  be  the 
*' (ONLY  BEGOTTEN)  Son"  of  God,  John  iii.  16, 
Eph.  iii.  9,  Col.  i.  16,  Heb.  i.  2.  By  referring  to 
these  Scriptures,  it  will  be  demonstrated  that  it  was 
the  SON  of  God  "WHO  WAS  GOD"  who  came 
down  from  heaven  AS  A  SON,  and  existed  from 
all  eternity  as  a  son;  we  say  it  will  be  demonstrated 
that  this  SON,  even  jesus,  is  the  creator  or  maker 
of  all  things  unexceptionably.  Therefore,  we  say 
with  the  Apostle  Paul,  let  God  he  true  and  every 
man  a  liar.  Rom.  iii.  4. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

1.  As  we  have  before  observed,  the  present  fearful 
degeneracy  of  the  churches  owes  its  origin  almost,  it 
not  altogether,  to  douht  and  unbelief  in  the  eternity 
and  divinity  of  the  son  of  God,  even  the  man  who 
groaned  and  died  for  us  on  the  cross  on  Mount  Cal- 
vary, which  will  be  more  fully  shown  as  we  proceed 
in  this  address. 

2.  We  shall  clearly  exhibit  from  the  holy  records 
of  the  Bible,  thatyez^;,  even  of  those  who  are  called 
orthodox,  ascribe  the  honor  and  praise  of  man's 
redemption  to  the  proper  person,  or  true  object  ; 
the  proper  person  and  the  true  object  we  believe  is 
JESUS  OF  NAZARETH,  "who  was  in  heaven 
before  he  veiled  himself  in  the  flesh."  John  vi.  62, 
iii.  13,  xvi.  28.  See  1  Cor.  xv.  47. 

3.  Therefore,  it  is  written,  he  who  "W'As  rich" 
"became  poor,"  2  Cor.  viii.  9;  and  although  he 
possessed  eternal  glory ^  as  he  declared  in  his  prayer 
in  the  garden,  John  xvii.  5,  even  the  Fathei's  "  own 


36  INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

SELF,"  yet  he  laid  itaside,  and,  ashedeclared,  *^came 
down  from  heaven,"  John  vi.  38,  and  became  a  man, 
as  is  expressly  testified  by  the  Apostle  Paul.  He 
records  that  ''Christ  Jesus,"  "being  in  theybrm  of 
God,''''  (image  or  shape  of  God  in  heaven,)  "thought 
it  not  robbery  to  be  equal  with  God," 

4.  "  But  made  himself  of  no  reputation,  and  took 
upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant,  (through  his  Jiesh 
the  veil,)  and  was  made  in  the  likeness  of  men,  and 
humbled  himself — even  to  the  death  of  the  cross, ^^ 
Phil.  ii.  5,  6,  7,  8;  from  which,  and  other  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, we  shall  demonstrate,  that  THE  ETERNAL 
SON  OF  GOD  THE  FATHER  BROUGHT  HIM- 
SELF INTO  A  CAPACITY  FOR  SUFFERING, 
AND  DID  ACTUALLY  SUFFER,  GIVING  IN- 
FINITE MERIT  TO  HIS  DEATH  AND  ATONE- 
MENT. 

5.  Vve  rejoice  individually  and  collectively  as  a 
church,  with  grateful  hearts,  that  the  Holy  Ghost  has 
witnessed  through  the  prophet  Isaiah,  Isa.  ix.  6, 
that  Jesus,  the  "child  and  son"  born  of  the  blessed 
Virgin  Mary  in  a  manger  at  Bethlehem  Judea,  is 
"w^onderful,  counsellor,  the  mighty  god,  the 
everlasting  father,  the  prince  of  peace;"  thcsc 
are  his  holy  names. 

6.  And  we  therefore  believe  the  son  to  be  the 
second  person  in  the  Holy  Trinity  and  "Godhead," 
who  are  three  divine  persons,  but  not  three  distinct 
IMAGES.  Because  JESUS  the  son  is  the  "only" 
and  "express  image"  (seen  by  angels  or  men) 
saith  St.  Paul,  Heb.  i.  3;  and  therefore  says  of  the 
SON,  "  Let  all  the  angels  of  God  WORSHIJP  HIM." 
Heb.  i.  6.  Jesus  "  the  son"  is,  therefore,  the  only 
ONE  God  whom  wecan  lawfully  worship,  because  we 
are  expressly  forbidden  to  worship  but  one  God, 
Exodus  xxxiv.  14;    moreover,  the  Lamb  who  is 


INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS.  37 

LORD  OF  LORDS  and  KING  OF  KINGS,  Deuteronoiiiy  x. 
17,  1  Tim.  vi.  15,  Rev.  xvii.  14,  xix.  16,  who  died 
for  us,  and  washed  us  fronn  our  sins  in  his  own  blood, 
Rev.  i.  5,  even  the  blood  of  his  cross,  Col.  i.  20, 
shed  on  Mount  Calvary,  HE  will  be  our  final 
judge;  for  he  himself,  the  "son  of  man"  and 
"king"  has  so  declared  it.  Matt.  xxv.  31  to  34. 

7.  And  we  aUo  know^  that  if  we  are  faithful,  and 
keep  his  sayings^  we  have  our  "names  written  in 
heaven,"  Luke  x.  20,  and  that  w^e  shall  be  with 
him,  because  he  has  thus  promised;  he  saith,  I  go 
to  prepare  a  place  for  you;  that  where  I  am,  there 
YE  may  be  also,  John  xiv.  23. 

8.  And  we  know  also,  as  St.  Peter  testifies,  that 
his  "kingdom  is  an  EVERLASTING  KINGDOM," 
2  Pet.  i.  11;  also  see  Heb.  i.  8.  For  Jesus  the 
Lord  Jehovah  is  "the  first  and  the  last,"  and 
says  "besides  me  there  is  no  God,"  and  declares 
himself,  Rev.  i.  8,  to  be  the  ALMIGHTY.  See  Isa. 
XLiv.  6,  and  ix.  6,  which  compare  with  Rev.  i.  8, 
17,  18. 

9.  And  w^e  also  know  from  the  sacred  records, 
that  after  the  judgment  of  the  last  day,  and  final 
separation  of  the  just  from  the  unjust,  that  JESUS 
the  eternal  and  only  begotten  son  of  the  Fa- 
ther, will  be  our  wisdom,  glory,  light,  and  life 
in  the  Holy  City,  New  Jerusalem.  Saint  John  in 
describing  this  city,  says,  "I  saw  no  temple  therein^ 
for  the  Lord  God  Almighty  and  the  lamb  are  the 
temple  of  it,  and  the  city  had  no  need  of  the  sun, 
neither  of  the  moon  to  shine  in  it,  for  the  GLORY 
OF  GOD  did  lighten  it,  and  the  (Q^LAMB  IS 
THE  LIGHT  THEREOF."XS  Rev.  xxi.  22,  23. 
It  is  conclusive  from  the  scriptures,  that  JESUS  is 
the  only  glory  and  light  of  eternity. 

10.  We  have  shown  from  the  foregoing  records 
4 


38  INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  that  in  time  and  in  eternity, 
our  thrice  Holy  and  Almighty  Redeemer  is  the 
First  and  the  Last,  according  to  his  oral  declara- 
tion to  St.  John  the  divine.  Rev.  i.  17.  He  was 
*'  the  FIRST  in  the  beginning  with  God  the  Father" 
and  '^WAS  GOD,"  see  John  i.  1,  2,  even  the 
'^FATHER  ALSO,"  Isa.  ix.  6,  John  xiv.  7,  9,  x.  30. 
And  in  the  ending  he  is  the  glory  and  light  of 
the  saints'  eternal  habitation,  JYew  Jerusalem. 

11.  We,  therefore,  the  members  of  the  church 
of  the  eternal  son  who  was  crucified,  honor  the 
SON  even  as  we  honor  the  Father,  even  as  he 
has  commanded.  "  That  ALL  MEN  should 
HONOR  THE  SON  EVEN  AS  THEY  HONOR 
THE  FATHER,"  John  v.  23,  and  we  worship 
him  truly  as  our  "Lord"  and  our  "God,"  John 
XX.  28,  as  the  wise  men,  Matt.  ii.  11,  and  Apostles 
did  worship  him,  before  and  after  his  resurrection 
and  at  the  time  of  his  ascension,  Matt.  xiv.  33, 
Matt,  xxviii.  9,  17,  Luke  xxiv.  52.  Jesus  said  to 
his  Apostles  "ye  call  ME  Master  and  Lord,  and 
ye  say  well,  for  SO  I  AM."  John  xiii.  13.  This 
we  believe,  and  can  say  from  blessed  experience 
with  the  Apostle,  that  "  w^e  know  the  son  of  God  is 
come  and  hath  given  us  an  understanding,  that  we 
may  know  him  that  is  true,  and  we  are  in  him  that 
is  true,  even  in  HIS  SON  Jesus  Christ;  and  this  is 
the  true  god  and  eternal  life."  1  John  v.  20. 
Hallelujah! 


CHAPTER  VII. 

1.  We  have  the  blessed  and  glorious  privilege  of 
saying,  from  our  own  experience,  and  from  the  holy 


INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS.  39 

records  of  Scripture,  that  no  man  can  50^  that  JESUS 
is  the  Lord  but  hy  the  Holy  Ghost.  1  Cor.  xii.  3.  1 
John  iv.  15.  And  we  desiremost  earnestly  to  impress 
on  the  minds  and  consciences  of  our  readers,  this 
declaration  of  the  Apostle  Paul,  knowing  that  it  is 
only  through  the  revelation  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the 
true  witness,  which  the  regenerated  have  within 
themselves,  1  John  v.  10,  that  a  man  can  say  with 
a  clean  conscience  and  without  a  doubt,  that  JESUS 
is  THE  Lord,  1  Cor.  xii.  3.  That  which  we  have 
written  in  this  address  we  firmly  maintain. 

2.  First,  that  the  doctrine  of  the  eternal  sonship 
is  true,  and  that  JESUS,  THE  MAN  who  died  on 
Mount  Calvary,  is  the  Eternal  son  of  God. 

3.  Secondly,  that  he  is  our  immediate  (and  as 
HE  the  Lord  says  through  the  prophet  Isaiah),  our 
only  Saviour,  Isa.  xLiii.  11 ;  his  words  are,  "  I,  even 
I  am  the  Lord,  and  besides  me  there  is  no  Saviour. ^"^ 
Therefore,  Jesus  declared,  I  am  from  above;  ye  are 
of  this  world,  I  AM  NOT  OF  THIS  WORLD:  I 
said,  therefore,  unto  you,  if  ye  believe  not  that  ''I 
AM  HE,"  (the  God  of  Moses  and  the  Prophets,  and 
the  same  w^ho  spake  to  Isaiah,)  "ye  shall  die  in 
YOUR  sins,"  John  viii.  23,  24;  because,  before 
Abram  was,  I  AM.  John  viii.  58. 

4.  Thirdly,  we  believe  with  the  Apostle,  1  John 
V.  20,  that  JESUS  the  SON  "  is  the  TRUE  GOD." 
See  John  i.  1. 

5.  Fourthly,  and  therefore,  as  he  is  the  true 
God,  he,  God,  mediated  as  God  betw^een  man  and 
the  penalty  of  eternal  death,  consequent  on  Adam's 
transgression  in  the  garden  of  Eden  ;  that  is,  the 
"true  God"  "became  man"  and  stood  between 
MAN  and  the  just  penalty  of  death,  and  "offered  up 
himself  ^^  on  the  cross  "as  a  living  sacrifice,"  and 
thus  reconciled  man  unto  himself  by  the  blood  of 


40  INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

his  cross.  He  rent  the  veil  of  the  temple,  and  re- 
moved the  flaming  sword  that  guarded  the  way  of 
the  tree  of  life,  which  tree  of  life  is  himself.  Rev. 
iii.  18.  And  he  now  calls  upon  all  to  repent  and 
be  converted,  and  to  become  regenerated  or  born 
again,  and  thus  freely  without  money  and  price  to 
partake  of  the  "tree  of  life,"  even  of  himself,  for  he 
declares,  I  am  the  bread  of  life,  and  he  that  eateth 
ME  shall  "live  by  me"  and  "live  forever."  See 
John  vi.  32  to  59th  verses. 

6.  Fifthly,  we  believe  that  the  eternal  Word  or 
Son  of  God  was  made  flesh,  and  became  a  true 
and  very  many  like  unto  us,  sin  excepted,  by  the  power 
of  his  own  spirit,  even  the  Holy  Ghost. 

7.  Sixthly,  we  believe  that  after  the  Eternal  Son 
or  Word  of  God  ^^was  madejlesh''^  and  became  man, 
and  whilst  he  dwelt  (upon  earth)  "amongst  us"  he 
■was  Omnipresent  and  "filled  all  things"  unex- 
ceptionably,  being  "IN  HEAVEN!"  according  to 
his  own  declaration  to  Nicodemus,  John  iii.  13.  He 
saw  Nathaniel  "  under  the  fig  tree,"  John  i.48,  49, 
also  thecolt  tied, Mark  xi.  2, also, the  man  carryingthe 
pitcher,  Mark  xiv.  13,  16,  by  his  omniscience.  And 
St.  Paul  declares  that  by  him  all  things  consist,  Col.  i. 
17;  for,  as  God  the  Father  was  omnipresent,  when  the 
voice  came,  this  is  my  beloved  son  in  whom  I  am 
well  pleased,  Matt.  iii.  17,  so  Jesus  the  Son  of  God 
was  omnipresent,  when  he  spake  to  Moses  on  the 
mount,  Exodusxxxiii.  23,  for,  according  to  St.  Paul, 
it  was  Christ  that  followed  his  fathers  in  the  wMlder- 
ness  and  spake  to  Moses,  1  Cor.  x.  4.  And  this  is 
true,  for  Jesus  saith,  no  "man  hath  seen  (God)  the 
Father,  John  vi.  46,  v.  37,  Luke  x.  22,  because 
the  Father  was  not  then  revealed.  But,  after  that 
saying,  Jesus  revealed  the  Father  to  his  Apostles 
in  these  words:  "Philip  saith  unto  him,  show  us 


INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS.  41 

the  Father  and  it  sufficeth  us.  Jesus  saith  unto 
him,  have  I  been  so  long  time  with  you  and  yet 
hast  thou  not  known  me,  Philip?  He  that  hath  seen 
ME  hath  SEEN  THE  FATHER;  and  hoiv  sdij est 
thou,  THEN,  Show  us  the  Father?"  Therefore,  before 
Philip  put  this  question,  Jesus  declared,  "if  ye  had 
KNOWN  ME  ye  would  have  known  my  Father 
also;  and  FROxM  HENCEFORTH  YE  KNOW 
HLM,  AND  HAVE  SEEN  HIM."  These  glorious 
sayings  are  recorded  in  John  xiv.  7,  8,  9.  This 
is  the  time  Jesus  revealed  the  Father,  which  was 
himself  the  eternal  one,  which  accords  with  Isa. 
ix.  6,  speaking  of  the  child  and  son,  says  "his 
name  shall  be  called  the  everlasting  Father;" 
because  the  Father  eternally  dwelt  in  him,  as  he 
says,  the  "  Father  dwelleth  in  me,"  John  xiv.  10. 
Therefore  it  was  JESUS  who  spake  to  Moses  on 
the  mount,  even  the  Father's  "express  person." 

8.  Seventhly,  we  believe  that  when  Jesus  the 
Eternal  Son  of  God  died  on  the  cross,  the  whole 
Trinity  died  with  him,  "for  in  him  dwelleth  all  the 
fullness  of  the  Godhead  hodily^  Col.  ii.  9. 

9.  Eighthly,  we  believe  that  Jesus  the  Eternal 
Son  of  God  died  on  the  cross,  by  a  separation  of  that 
which  is  eternal  and  immortal,  from  that  which  was 
of  the  "line  of  David,"  ''his  flesh  the  veil,''  (Heb. 
X.  20,)  that  is,  he  "gave  up  the  Ghost,"  but  was, 
as  regards  his  own  immortal  person,  alive  that  very 
day  in  Paradise;  so  was  the  soul  of  the  "  thief,''  for 
JESUS  saith,  "  this  day  shalt  thou  be  w^th  me  in 
Paradise."  But  the  Son  of  God  triumphed  over 
the  grave,  and  took  up  his  life,  and  arose  from  the 
dead  on  the  third  day,  and  was  seen  by  upwards  of 
five  hundred  witnesses.   I  Cor.  xv.  6. 

10.  Ninthly,  we  believe  Jesus  the  Eternal  Son  of 
God,  who  "was  God,"  suffered  as  God  ;  and  there- 

4- 


42  INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

fore  his  atonement  on  the  cross  satisfied  the  debt,  and 
cancelled  all  the  sins  of  those  who  have  died  or 
MAY  DIE  IN  HIM.  He  cast  out  the  prince  of  this 
world;  John  xii.  31,  and  spoiled  his  principalities 
and  powers.  Col.  ii.  15,  and  by  atoning  and  ex- 
piating our  sins  on  his  cross,  ransomed  us  from  the 
debt  of  the  broken  law  in  the  Garden  of  Eden. 
For  none  but  he  who  gave  the  law  could  mediate 
between  man  and  his  divine  justice  which  he  satis- 
fied. Therefore,  he  declares  through  the  prophet, 
Isa.  Lxiii.  1,5,  "  mine  own  arm  brought  salvation." 

11.  Tenthly,  we  believe  the  Eternal  and  only 
begotten  Son  of  the  Father  became  man,  through 
the  line  of  David,  of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  and 
was  born  in  a  manger  at  Bethlehem  Judea.  And 
his  name  was  called,  through  the  direction  of  ihe 
angel  of  the  Lord,  JESUS  or  SAVIOUR,  Matt.  i. 
21  ;  also  IMMANUEL,  which  being  interpreted,  is 
*'GOD  WITH  US."  Matt.  i.  23,  Isa.  vii.  14. 

12.  He  grew  up  to  manhood,  and  went  about 
doing  good,  by  performing  miracles  and  fulfilling 
all  that  iiad  been  written  *' concerning  him"  (as  he 
says)  "in  the  Law,  the  Prophets,  and  the  Psalms." 
Luke  xxiv.  44.  And  after  ^^  abolishing  in  his  flesh 
the  enmity^  even  the  law  of  Commandments  con- 
tained in  ordinances,"  Eph.  ii.  15,  "that  was 

AGAINST  us,  which  WAS  CONTRARY  TO  US,  AND  TOOK 
IT  OUT  OF  THE  W^AY,  NAILING  IT  TO  HIS  CROSS."    Col. 

ii.  14. 

13.  He  VOLUNTARILY  and  of  his  "eternal  pur- 
pose" "alone"  and  by  himself,  laid  down  his 
precious  life  for  us  on  the  cross  on  Mount  Calvary. 
As  he  said,  "I  have  trodden  the  wine-press  alone; 
and  I  looked  and  there  was  none  to  help,  therefore 
mine  ow^n  arm  brought  salvation  unto  me."  Isa. 
Lxiii.  3,  4,  5.     Therefore,  he  declared  "no  man 


INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS.  43 

TAKETH  (my  life)  FROM  ME ;  /  lay  it  down  myself;'^ 
John  X.  18:  he  Mere/bre  pardoned  the  Jews  from 
his  cross,  the  act  of  crucifying  him.   Luke  xxiii.  34. 

14.  He  rose  again  on  the  third  day,  and  ascended 
into  heaven  ''where  he  w^as  before,"  John  vi.  62, 
in  the  same  body  that  was  crucified,  but  then  and 
now  changed  into  a  glorious  body,  as  the  Apostle 
testifies.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  shall  "  change  our 
vile  body,  that  it  may  be  fashioned  like  unto  his 
glorious  body,  according  to  the  working,  whereby 
he  is  able  even  to  subdue  all  things  unto  him- 
self." Philippians  iii.  21. 

15.  And  shall  reign  forever  and  ever  in  his 
everlasting  kingdom,  to  which  THERE  SHALL 
BE  NO  END.  Luke  i.  32,  Dan.  vii.  14,  27,  Heb.  i.8. 
He  being  the  same  unchangeable  "Lord"  "God" 
"Almighty,"  see  Rev.  i.  8,  that  he  ever  was,  "the 
Alpha  and  the  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  end- 
ing, the  first  and  the  last,"  Rev.  i.  17,  18.  For 
in  becoming  man  he  changed  not,  it  being  "ac- 
cording TO  the  eternal  purpose,"  see  Ephe.  iii. 
11,  19,  2  Tim.  i.  9,  that  our  Lord  came  down  from 
heaven  and  was  made  flesh,  and  became  man.  It 
was  therefore  an  unchangeable  purpose. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

1.  We  believe  in  the  general  resurrection  of  the 
"dead,"  Rev.  xx.  12,  13,  and  final  or  last  judg- 
ment, when,  as  Jesus  saith,  he  the  son  of  man  and 
KING  will  come  in  his  glory  with  all  his  holy  An- 
gels, and  will  separate  the  just  from  the  unjust, 
when  he  will  say  unto  the  wicked,  depart  from  me, 
ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire,  'prepared  for  the  Devil 


44  INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

and  his  angels ;  but  the  righteous  shall  go  into  life 
eternal.  Read  Matt.  xxv.  31  to  46. 

2.  We  believe  we  are  justified  by  faith  without 
works^  Rom.  iii.  27,  28,  which  we  understand  as  a 
condition  of  salvation.  And  we  know  that  the  Lord 
Jesus  will  have  all  the  glory  and  merit  of  man's  re- 
demption, for  "without  me  ye  can  do  nothing,"  saith 
Jesus;  because  he  is  '•'■the  Lord  our  righteousness.^'^ 
Therefore,  w^e  maintain  that  it  is  the  baptism  of 
"the  Holy  Ghost"  "and  with  fire"  Xh?it  justifies  a 
man  and  makes  him  an  heir  of  salvation.  Yet  we 
maintain  that  good  works  always  follow  every  man's 
justification  as  XYiq  fruits  of  the  spirit, 

3.  Vv^'e  firmly  believe  in  full  redemption  from 
original  sin  in  this  life,  and  that  a  man  may  know 
from  youth  until  old  age,  that  he  is  an  heir  of  sal- 
vation and  of  glory,  and  that  his  "  calling  and  elec- 
tion is  made  sure"  by  the  "witness,"  even  the 
testimony  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  '•'bearing  witness  with 
our  spirit  that  we  are  the  children  of  God  and  heirs," 
Rom.  viii.  16,  17 ;  for  John  says,  he  that  is  born  of 
God,  "  hath  the  witness  in  himself."   1  John  v.  10. 

4.  We  maintain  and  believe,  as  we  have  before 
stated  in  this  address,  that  when  we  are  "  born 
again"  or  regenerated,  we  receive  the  Holy  Ghost, 
which  is  the  Comforter  and  Spirit  of  Truth.  See 
Acts  XV.  7,  8,  9. 

5.  Which  our  Lord  declares  "  shall  abide  with  us 
forever,^^  John  xiv.  16,  17 ;  and  will  ''guide  you,  he 

says,  into  all  truth,^^  and  he  will  "  show  you  things  to 
come,^"*  and  here  is  the  spirit  of  prophecy.  "  He  shall 
glorify  ME,  for  he  shall  receive  of  mine  and  show 
it  unto  you ;  all  things  that  the  Father  hath  are 
MINE,  therefore,  said  I,  he  shall  take  of  mine  and 
shall  show  it  unto  you.''''  John  xvi.  13,  14,  15. 

6.  And  as  he  saith  in  another  place,  "he  shall 


INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS.  45 

testify  of  me."  John  xv.  26.  In  these  texts  the 
tri-personality  of  the  Godhead  is  conclusively  set 
forth  ;  the  pronoun  HE,  is  applied  to  the  Holy  Ghost 
four  times  in  succession  in  these  texts,  as  a  distinct 
person  from  the  father  and  the  son. 

7.  We,  therefore,  maintain  that  having  this  glo- 
rious and  heavenly  guide  and  counsellor  with  us, 
the  lives  and  conversation  of  the  members  of  this 
church  should  abound  in  all  goodness,  mercy,  and 
truth,  and  be  unspotted  before  tJie  world. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

1.  We  hold  that  water  baptism  may  be  adminis- 
tered in  the  name  of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the 
Holy  Ghost  to  such  as  may  desire  it,  but  by  sprink- 
ling only,  as  it  agrees  with  the  Scripture  and  the 
spiritual  experience  of  the  children  of  God.  See 
Numbers  viii.  7,  Isa.  Lii.  15,  Eze.  xxxvi.  25,  1  Pet. 
i.  2.  Yet  we  reject  the  doctrine  of  the  church  of 
Rome,  and  other  churches,  who  make  this  outward 
water  baptism  essential  to  salvation  or  in  any  way 
binding.  Because,  according  to  the  testimony  of 
John  the  Baptist  himself,  outward  water  baptism 
"must  decrease"  (which  was  to  repentance  only) y 
Matt.  iii.  11,  and  be  superseded  by  the  one  only 
savins;  baptism  o^  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire.  See 
John's  testimony,  John  i.  33. 

2.  We  believe  that  water  baptism  has  been  one 
of  the  means  of  maintaining  the  doctrine  of  the 
Holy  Trinity,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost;  three  (Vivine  persons  in  Trinity,  and  one  per- 
son in  Unity,  in  the  person  of  the  E'ernal  Son,  even 
Jesus  Christ  of  Nazareth  who  died  on  Mount  Cal- 


46  INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

vary.  This  doctrine  of  the  Trinity  was  instituted 
by  the  Lord  of  glory  himself  just  before  his  ascen- 
sion, Matt,  xxviii.  19,  as  before  observed. 

3.  We  do  not  hold  the  administration  of  water 
baptism  as  an  ordinance^  but  we  admit  it  into  this 
church  for  the  foregoing  reasons,  that  it  helps  to 
establish  the  doctrine  of  the  Holy  Trinity.  And,  if 
any  of  our  members  have  a  tender  conscience,  and 
cannot  comprehend  the  text,  John  iii.  5,  to  mean 
the  water  of  eternal  life  only,  we  desire  to  release 
them,  yet  we  cannot  support  any  ordinance,  because 
they  were  "blotted  out"  by  the  Lord  and  "nailed 
TO  HIS  CROSS."  Col.  ii.  14.  We,  therefore,  do  not 
maintain  water  baptism  as  an  ordinance,  but  use 
it  only  by  permission  ;  the  Apostles  "  baptized  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus"  only.  See  Acts  ii.  38,  viii. 
16,  X.  48,  xix.  5;  because  Jesus  is  the  name  of  the 
Father,  Isa.  ix.  6,  John  xiv.  7,  8,  9;  also  the  name 
of  the  Son,  also  the  name  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  there- 
fore, when  the  Apostles  baptized  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  they  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  whole  Trinity. 
Therefore,  when  we  baptize,  we  say  "  I  baptize  thee 
in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  which  name  is  JESUS,  Amen." 

4.  This  church  professes  to  be  built  up  of  re- 
generated and  living  members,  who   have  passed 

from  death  unto  life,  and  through  the  great  mercy  of 
JESUS  the  "Blessed  God"  are  sustained  by  him 
with  the  "bread  of  heaven"  and  "of  life,"  which 
is  himself  as  he  declares,  "  I  am  the  bread  of  life; 
he    that    eateth  my  flesh  and    drinketh   my   blood 

DWELLETH  IN  ME,  AND  I  IN  HIM."    Johtt  vi.   35,  56. 

5.  "  This  is  that  bread  which  came  down  from 
heaven,^^  "and  when  his  disciples  murmured  at  it" 
he  saith,  "it  is  the  Spirit,  the  Holy  Ghost  and  Com- 
forter" thatquickeneth,  ^  ^  the  flesh  proflteth  noihing^^ 


INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS.  47 

(the  outward  flesh);  the  words  that  I  speak  uiitoyou, 
THEY  ARE  SPIRIT,  and  THEY  ARE  LIFE.  See  John  vi. 
33,  35,  48,  63. 

6.  From  which,  and  many  other  Scriptures  we 
are  taught  that  it  is  the  indwelling  of  Jesus  in 
THE  SOUL,  that  enables  the  soul  to  eat  him,  spi- 
ritually and  substantially,  as  he  saith,  "he  thatea/e^/i 
me,  he  shall  live  by  me."  John  vi.  57. 

7.  We  cannot,  therefore,  consistently  with  his 
living  presence  with  us,  and  in  us,  eat  outward  bread 
and  drink  outward  wine,  which  are  eaten  as  types 
only  (by  the  Protestant  Churches)  of  him  which  has 
ALREADY  COME  according  to  his  promise,  Acts  ii.  4, 
and  will  continue  with  us,  as  he  declares,  ^^  always, 
even  to  the  end  of  the  world,'''*  Matt,  xxviii.  20;  be- 
cause, by  so  eating  outwardly,  we  should  really 
declare  that  Christ  Jesus  has  not  come.  It  is 
written,  that  the  outward  eating  was  to  show  forth 
the  Lord's  death  until  he  come. 

8.  Now,  as  HE  has  come,  in  power  and  glory  to 
all  those  who  believe,  and  are  horn  again,  such  as 
these  need  not  the  type  when  they  have  the  substance, 
even  JESUS  himself  m  their  souls.  Hallelujah! 

9.  When  Jesus  gave  the  mission  to  his  disciples 
recorded  in  the  tenth  chapter  of  Matthew's  Gospel, 
he  immediately  declares  that  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven 
is  at  hand,  and  continues  in  these  words,  ^^  verily  I 
say  unto  you,  ye  shall  not  have  gone  over  the  cities 
of  Israel  till  the  son  of  man  be  come,"  Matt.  x.  1, 
7,  23,  which  was  verified  on  the  day  of  Pentecost. 

10.  Such  churches,  however,  who  deny  imme- 
diate revelation,  as  in  the  Apostles'  days,  and  that 
the  spiritual  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost  are  not  given  to 
men  at  this  time,  and  who  know  not  a  spiritual  com- 
munion with  God  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  according  to 
the  declaration  of  our  Lord,  John  x.  16,  xv.  2Q, 


48  INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

but  have  fallen  in  part  into  the  degenerated  con- 
dition of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  ;  such  churches 
as  these,  if  sincere,  may  use  the  outward  com- 
munion of  bread  and  wine. 

11.  The  ancient,  although  now  degenerated 
church,  called  at  this  time  the  Roman  Catholic, 
possesses  ostensibly  or  outwardly  all  the  principles 
of  the  primitive  churches,  but  they  confine  the 
power  of  all  spiritual  gifts  and  operations  to  the 
clergy  only.  Therefore,  they  say  in  their  com- 
mentaries on  the  New  Testament,  see  commentary 
on  St.  John,  xiv.  16,  26,  in  these  words,  "Here 
the  Holy  Ghost  is  promised  to  the  Apostles  and 
their  successors''^  (the  priests);  again,  1  John  iv.  6, 
"he  that  knoweth  God  heareth  us,  (the  pastors  of 
the  church.")  The  reader  is  referred  to  the  tenth 
letter  of  the  Right  Rev.  John  Milner,  D.D.,  in 
the  book  called  "The  End  of  Religious  Contro- 
versy," for  a  full  exposition  of  Catholicism  on  the 
subject  of  immediate  revelation  from  God.  We 
will  quote  a  few  lines  at  the  end  of  the  latter  pages, 
60  and  61 ;  "if  then,  Satan  and  his  disciples,  the 
Heretics,  (or  Protestants,)  are  capable  of  thus  per- 
verting the  Holy  Scripture^  how  are  Catholics,  the 
childre7i  of  the  church,  to  make  use  of  them^  so  as 
to  discern  truth  from  falsehood?  They  must  care- 
fully observe  the  rule  laid  down  at  the  beginning  of 
this  treatise,  by  the  holy  and  learned  men  I  referred 

to,  THEY  ARE  TO  INTERPRET  THE  DIVINE  TEXT  AC- 
CORDING     TO      THE      TRADITION      OF      THE     CaTHOLIC 

Church,"  that  is  according  to  the  tradition  of  the 
priests.  (The  original  printing  is  in  capitals  as 
quoted.) 

12.  In  this  quotation,  as  in  many  other  passages, 
tradition  is  placed  above  the  Bible ^  and  even  above 
the  Holy  Spirit's  operation  on  the  hearts  of  men. 


INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS.  49 

They,  therefore,  deny  and  reject  all  that  our  Lord 
diedfor^  which  was,  the  dispensation  of  the  gift  of 
his  Holy  Spirit,  the  Holy  Ghost  or  Comforter,  unto 
all  men  who  should  btlieve  in  him  ;  see  John  xvi. 
7,  13,  J4,  Acts  ii.  17,  18,  xi.  15,  16,  17;  and  have 
impiously  substituted,  auricular  confession  and  a 
priest's  absolution,  and  an  outward  corporeal  eating 
of  bread:  instead  of  the  spiritual  eating,  operation 
and  Communion  of  Jesus  in  the  Soul. 

13.  This  spiritual  communion  of  Jesus  in  the 
soul,  according  to  his  blessed  promise.  Matt,  xviii. 
20,  Rev.  iii.  20,  is  expressly  denied  by  this  Roman 
Catholic  Church. 

14.  Which  maintainsitto  be,  a  "  fallacious  error" 
to  believe  "in  an  immediate  light,  and  motion  of 
God's  spirit  communicated  to  the  individual." 

15.  As  the  Right  Rev.  John  Milner,  D.D.,  de- 
clares in  his  "End  of  Religious  Controversy,"  just 
quoted,  and  recently  published.  See  letter  6,  page 
20-21,  22,  23  paragraphs. 

16.  He  there  states  that  this  fallacious  error  leads 
to  impiety^  and  is  professed  in  particular  "  by  the 
Quakers  and  the  Moravians,  and  the  different  classes 
of  Methodists."  See  letter  7  of  the  End  of  Con- 
troversy. 

17.  It  is  the  desire  of  the  church  of  the  Eternal 
Son,  not  to  remove  a  single  pillar,  however  weak, 
which  has  a  tendency  to  support  the  Gospel  dis- 
pensation ;  therefore,  this  church  disclaims  any 
intention  to  persecute  this  persecuting  churchy  the 
Church  of  Rome.  But,  at  the  same  time,  we  shall 
war  unceasingly,  a  spiritual  warfare  against  the 
wicked,  criminal,  and  murderous  doctrine,  which 
is,  that  the  Holy  Ghost  does  not  now  immediately 
operate  upon,  regenerate,  and  convert  the  souls  of 
men  as  he  did  in  the  Apostles'  days,  Acts  xv.  7,8,9; 

5 


50  INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

and  that  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  which  con- 
verts immortal  souls,  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  is  a  delusion  of  the  imagination  and  *'  a 
fallacious  error,"  as  Dr.  Milner  asserts:  It  is  a  doc- 
trine that  crucifies  the  Lord  Jesus  in  the  souls  of 
men,  and  keeps  them  under  the  dominion  of  innate 
sins,  and  holds  in  bondage  the  souls  of  millions  of 
priest-ridden,  humbled,  yet  well  disposed  laymen, 
who  have  AN  equal  right  with  themselves  to  know 
and  administe?' the  gifts  and  blessings  o^  an  impartial 
and  Almighty  Redeemer. 

18.  We,  therefore,  say  as  a  church,  that  the 
churches  who  deny  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  as 
in  the  days  of  the  Apostles,  may  partake  of  and  eat 
and  drink  the  types,  or  eat  and  drink  the  outward 
sacrament,  because  they  declare  and  profess,  that 
the  SON  OF  MAN  HAS  NOT  COME  unto  them.  There- 
fore, when  they  eat  and  drink  the  consecrated  ele- 
ments, if  sincere^  "they  do  show  the  Lord's  death 
until  he  come  in  power  unto  them^^  also ;  this  we 
believe  is  the  true  interpretation  of  the  text  1  Cor. 
xi.  26. 

19.  We,  the  church  of  the  Eternal  Son  who  was 
crucified,  give  glory  to  God  our  Saviour,  even 
Jesus,  for  the  precious  "motion"  of  his  spirit  and 
light  communicated  to  us;  and  praise  his  holy  name 
that  he  condescends  o/"  mere  mercy  to  visit  us  with 
his  power,  and  that  he  is  in  our  midst  when  two 
or  three  are  gathered  together  in  his  name. 

20.  We  can  "laugh"  as  Jesus  has  promised, 
Luke  vi.  21,  with  joy,  and  rejoice  aloud,  and  shout 
(as  Isaiah  declares,  I2th  chapter,  1-6,  and  as  David 
says,  Psal.  XLvii.  1-7),  to  "  God  with  the  voice  of  tri- 
umph" "  in  the  fullness  of  the  blessing,"  our  hearts 
running  over,  so  that  there  is  not  room  enough  to 
receive  it,  according  to  his  blessed  promise,  Malachi 


INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS.  51 

iii.  10,  and  therefore  we  can  testify  with  the  Apostle, 
that  we  know  that  the  son  of  God  has  come  unto 
us,  1  John  V.  20,  according  to  his  promise.  Matt. 
X.  1,7,23. 


CHAPTER  X. 

1.  The  Apostle  declares,  as  many  as  are  "led 
by  the  Spirit  of  God,  they  are  the  sons  of  God.''' 
Rom.  viii.  14.  We,  therefore,  through  the  blessed 
guidance  and  holy  operation  of  the  sustaining  power 
of  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  shall  let  **  the  word 
OF  the  Lord  have  free  course,"  and  be  glorified, 
2  Thess.  iii.  1,  as  it  was  in  the  days  of  the  Apostles. 

2.  We  are  taught  in  the  epistles  of  St.  Paul,  that 
prophesying,  exhortation,  and  preaching,  are  one 
and  the  same  thing. 

3.  He  says,  ''  he  that  prophesieth,  speaketh  unto 
men  to  edification,  and  exhortation,  and  comfort," 
1  Cor.  xiv.  3.  "And  the  spirits  of  the  Prophets  are 
subject  to  the  prophets." 

4.  "  For  ye  may  all  prophesy  one  by  one,  that  all 
may  learn,  and  that  all  may  be  comforted  ;"  "but  if 
any  thing  be  revealed  to  another  that  sitteth  by, 
let  the  first  (Prophet)  hold  his  peace."  1  Cor.  xiv. 
30,31,  32. 

5.  This  is  the  understanding  of  this  church  of 
that  which  constitutes  true  Christian  liberty.  Al- 
lowing every  brother  to  exercise  his  gifts  as  God 
may  give  him  ability;  but  always  giving  place  to  a 
brother  who  has  an  immediate  revelation  from,  the 
Saviour,  whether  it  be  in  singing,  exhortation,  or 
prayer. 

6.  We  do  not  confine  the  services  of  the  church 


52  INVITATION  AND  ADDRESS. 

to  one  minister,  but  any  member  may  speak,  **  or  as 
the  Lord  giveth  ability,  so  speak ;"  and  no  member 
is  to  be  despised  or  checked  because  he  is  deficient 
in  orthography,  eloquence,  or  any  human  learning, 
because  Jesus  often  chooses  ''  the  foolish  things  of 
the  world  to  confound  the  wise;"  "and  the  weak, 
to  confound  the  mighty."  The  principal  Apostles 
were  poor  uneducated  fishermen,  and  our  Almighty 
Lord  declares,  "  I  thank  thee,  O  Father,  Lord  of 
heaven  and  of  earth,  because  thou  hast  hid  these 
things  from  the  luise  and  the  prudent^  and  hast  re- 
vealed them  unto  babes."  Matt.  xi.  25.  And  even 
St.  Paul  who  was  learned,  thus  testifies:  my  speech 
and  my  preaching  (says  he)  "was  not  with  enticing 
WORDS  of  man's  wisdom,  but  in  demonstration  of 
THE  Spirit,  and  of  power.  For  (says  he)  I  deter- 
mined to  knoiv  nothincr  amono^  you,  save  JESUS 
CHRIST,  and  HLM  CRUCIFIED."  1  Cor.  ii.  2,  3, 
4.     Notice,  he  says  hhn  crucified. 

7.  It  is  often  observable,  that  whilst  a  brother 
is  exhorting  an  audience,  the  power  of  the  Lord 
is  suddenly  revealed  from  heaven,  and  the  Spirit 
(which  our  Lord  calls  the  wind,  and  in  the  Acts  it 
is  called  a  mighty  rushing  wind.  Acts  ii.  2),  is 
powerfully  and  generally  felt;  and  the  time  of  re- 
freshing from  the  Lord  has  come,  which  is  that 
Blessed  Power  which  the  church  came  together  for. 

8.  The  brother  who  is  preaching  or  exhorting, 
must  at  this  manifestation  of  mercy  "hold  his 
ieace,"  "  The  Lord  is  in  his  Holy  Temple,"  Hab. 
ii.  20;  the  meeting  is  governed  at  this  auspicious 
moment  by  the  Lord  Jesus  himself,  and  his  spirit 
of  Love,  and  power,  should  have  '-^free  course;'^'* 
so  that  the  brethren  may  speak  to,  and  exhort 
those  who  are   convicted,   or  are  mourning,  that 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  SEEKERS. 


53 


the  weak  might  be  strengthened,  and  sinners  con- 
verted unto  Jesus,  and  the  strong  man  confirmed. 

9.  But  this  is  not  so  ordained  in  the  churches, 
even  in  those  most  spiritual,  not  even  amongst  the 
Episcopal  Methodists,  although  some  of  its  preach- 
ers have  acted  under  the  Gospel  injunction.  As  it 
riow  is,  the  person  who  is  exhorting  or  preaching, 
continues  his  sermon,  and  frequently  suppresses  and 
sacrifices  to  the  formal  divisions  of  his  discourse, 
the  GLORIOUS  BLESSING  of  the  Lord  Almighty, 
which  ONLY  and  alone,  constitutes  the  Life,  Power, 
and  EFFICACY  of  the  Church. 

10.  We,  therefore,  earnestly  exhort  all  our  bre- 
thren to  wait  for  the  blessings  to  pray  for  the  blessing, 
to  prophesy,  exhort,  and  preach  for  the  blessing; 
and  when  in  mercy  it  has  come,  then,  to  diligently 
seek  out  the  convicted^  and  the  mourners  in  the  audi- 
mce,  and,  in  the  HOLY  NAME  OF  JESUS,  apply 
all  those  gifts  and  powers  which  he  "the  true  God" 
has  entrusted  us  with,  to  the  conversion  of  their 
souls;  be  it  at  the  mourner's  bench,  or  elsewhere. 

11.  Determining,  with  the  Apostle  Paul,  not  to 
KNOW  anything  during  the  season  of  our  relifjious 
exercises,  "save  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified." 
1  Cor.  ii.  2. 

12.  We  now  commend  you  to  Jesus  Christ  and 
to  his  love  and  peace,  which  "  passeth  all  under- 
standing." Hosanna  to  his  adorable  name !  The 
grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all. 
Amen.     Rev.  xxi.  21. 


5* 


PART  SECOND. 
DECLARATION  OF  FAITH. 


CHAPTER  I. 

INTRODUCTION. 

1.  The  following  articles  comprise  the  Declaration 
of  Faith  and  Principles  of  "The  Church  of  the 
Eternal  Son  ;"  even  JESUS  of  Nazareth,  who,  of 
himself,  VOLUNTARILY  (John  x.  18)  "laid  down 
his  life  for  us"  on  the  cross  on  Mount  Calvary. 
"Hereby,"  (saith  the  Apostle,)  "perceive  w^e  the 
love  of  GOD,  because  HE  [even  God)  laid  down  his 
life  for  us."  1  John,  iii.  16.  And  Saint  Paul  de- 
clares, "Feed  the  Church  of  God,  which  he  hath 
purchased  with  his  own  blood."     Acts  xx.  28. 

2.  We  now  offer  to  all  our  fellow  pilgrims  the  fol- 
lowing exposition  of  the  Faith  and  Principles,  which 
is  adopted  by  "the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son," 
together  with  the  foregoing  introduction  or  preface 
and  address  for  the  preservation  of  this  Church, 
"IN  UNITY  OF  FAITH."  Eph.  iv.  13.  And 
that  there  be  NO  SCHISM  IN  THE  BODY,  1  Cor. 
xii.  25;  and  to  have  a  SUBSTANTIAL  RULE, 
whereby  we  may  question  those  who  apply  for  me/?? - 
bership  with  us,  so  that  the  APPLICANTS,  as  well 
as  ourselves,  may  be  fully  assured  that  they  AGREE 
WITH  US  IN  ALL  OUR  PRINCIPLES. 


DECLARATION  OF  FAITH.  55 

3.  And  further,  that  -we  may  have  a  RULE,  and 
the  means  for  counseling^  advising,  and  admonish- 
ing those  who  are  members  of  our  Church,  who, 
through  want  o^  daily  and  hourly  prayer  and  watch- 
fulness, and  manifold  temptations,  may  depart  from 
the  truth  :  and  if  love  and  tenderness  cannot  restore 
and  prevail  over  them,  to  SUSPEND  them  from 
membership,  according  to  the  declaration  of  our 
Lord,  Matt,  xviii.  15,  16,  17  ;  and  that  of  the 
Apostle  Paul,  Rom.  xvi.  17,  18,  and  1  Cor.  v.  3, 
4,  5.  But  if,  after  due  contrition  and  repentance, 
they  regain  their  blessing,  they  may  be  restored  to 
the  Church. 


CHAPTER  II. 


TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


This  Church  shall  be  called  THE  CHURCH 
OF  THE  ETERNAL  SON.  And  there  shall  be 
NO  ALTERATION  or  AMENDMENT  MADE  to 
the  title,  nor  to  the  following  EXPLANA- 
TION OF  THE  TITLE  of  the  Church. 

EXPLANATION  OF  THE  TITLE. 

1.  We  believe  the  ETERNAL  and  "ONLY  BE- 
GOTTEN SON,"  was  BEGOTTEN  of  the  Father 
FROM  "EVERLASTING,"  that  is,  FROM  ALL 
ETERNITY,  and  out  of  his  (the  Father's)  own 
eternal  essences,  and  immediately  and  continuately 
with  the  Father's  own  existence. 

2.  That  is,  THE  SON  EXISTED  AS  A  SON, 
at  the  SAME  ETERNAL  INSTANT  THAT  THE 
FATHER  EXISTED,  and  bore  the  SAME  RE- 
LATION to  the   Father   from  all  eternity  AS  A 


66  TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

SON,  as  he  DID  whilst  he  dwelt  amongst  us  IN 
THE  FLESH  AT  JERUSALEM :  becausc  JESUS  de- 
clares, *'AS  THE  FATHER  KNOWETH  ME 
EVEN  SO  KNOW.  I  THE  FATHER."  John  x. 
15. 

3.  HIS  KNOWLEDGE  being  EQUALLY 
ETERNAL  with  the  FATHER'S  KNOWLEDGE. 
And  because  the  SON  is  the  very  eternal  manifesta- 
tion of  the  Father's  person,  being  "the  EXPRESS 
IMAGE  of  HIS  PERSON,"  saith  the  Apostle. 
Heb.  i.  3.  And  because  the  SON  is  the  LIGHT, 
John  i.  9,  and  the  GLORY,  Rev.  xxi.  23,  and  the 
VERY  "BRIGHTNESS  of  the  Father's  glory;'' 
so  saith  Saint  Paul,  Heb.  i.  3.  And  because  his  DO- 
INGS are  EQUALLY  ETERNAL  with  the  Father's 
doings.  He  saith,  "FOR  S^WHAT  THINGS 
SOEVER^  HE  (the  Father)  DOETH,  THESE 
ALSO  DOETH  THE  SON  LIKEWISE."  John 
V.  19.  HIS  ACTS,  therefore,  being  equally  eternal 
with  the  FATHER'S  ACTS. 

4.  Again,  saith  JESUS,  he  that  "hath  SEEN 
ME  hath  SEEN  THE  FATHER,"  John  xiv.  9; 
because  (saith  he)  "  I  and  my  Father  ARE  ONE." 
John  X.  30.  And  because,  according  to  the  Pro- 
phet Isaiah,  the  NAME  OF  JESUS  is  "  also"  THE 
EVERLASTING  FATHER.  The  words  are  these, 
"And  unto  us  a  CHILD  is  born,  unto  us  a  ^SON 
is  given  ;  and  HIS  NAME  shall  be  called  the 
EVERLASTING  FATHER."  See  Isa.  ix.  6.  No 
truly  converted  man  can,  therefore,  deny  JESUS 
the  appellation  of  FATHER. 

5.  Therefore,  he  saith  to  Philip,  "  HOW  SAY- 
EST  THOU  THFN  ?  Shew  us  the  Father  !"  And 
He  declares  positively,  at  that  time,  to  his  Apostles, 
that  HE  WAS  the  (itf^"  father  ALSO,"^  in 
these  words:  "  If  ye  had  KNOWN  ME,  ye  would 


TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH.  57 

have  KNOWN  MY  FATHER  ALSO,  and  from 
henceforth  YE  KNOW  HIM,  and  have  (j#^SEEN 
HIM."^  John  xiv.  7.  "Believe  me,"  (what 
an  appeal! — we,  thy  Churchy  0  Thou  ^' only  begot- 
te'n?''  and  ^^  Eternal  iS'or?,"  and  ^^  Eternal  Life^"^-  do 
believe  thee,)  "  BELIEVE.ME,"  (saith  Jesus,) ''  that 
I  AM  IN  THE  Father,  and  the  Father  IN  ME." 
John  xiv.  11. 

6.  That  is,  they  are  {}#^ONE  in  perfect  IDEN- 
TITY and  "  PERSON,"  therefore,  JESUS,  the 
only  begotten  SON,  must,  of  necessity,  be  co-eternal 
with  the  Father.  And  he  is  also  co-eternal  with  the 
Holy  Ghost,  for  Saint  Paul  testifies,  that  "  the  LORD 
IS  THAT  SPIRIT,"  2  Cor.  iii.  17,  and  "  was 
made"  (or  begotten)  "a  QUICKENING  SPIRIT." 
1  Cor.  XV.  45. 

7.  Jesus,  the  Son,  is  also  EQUAL  with  the  Fa- 
ther, John  V.  23,  John  v.  18,  Phil.  ii.  6  ;  and  equally 
Omnipotent,  Matt,  xxviii.  18  ;  and  equally  Omni- 
scient, John  xvi.  30;  and  equally  Omnipresent  with 
the  Father,  being  CO-EXISTENT  with  the  Father 
EVERYWHERE.  This  is  beautifully  expressed  in 
these  words:  "If  a  man  love  me  he  will  keep  my 
words,  and  my  Father  will  love  him,  (l#-AND  WE 
will  come  unto  him,  and  make  OUR  ABODE 
WITH  HIM."  John  xiv.  23.  This  declaration 
makes  JESUS,  and  the  Father  always  present,  the 
one  with  the  other ;  or  the  SON,  and  the  FATHER, 
EQUALLY  Omnipresent,  and  equally  co-existent, 
because  those  who  love  Jesus  are  living  throughout 
the  world,  and  in  each,  Jesus  and  the  Father  dwell. 

,8.  And  there  is  another  glorious  saying  of  Jesus, 
which  shows  the  Omnipresence  of  himself,  "  the 
Son  of  man,"  who  died  for  us;  even  whilst  in  the 
flesh.  It  proves  He  then  filled  all  things.  It 
is  recorded  in  Luke  x.  5,  6,  in  his  charge  to  the 


58  TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

"seventy"  disciples.  The  "words"  are:  "And 
into  WHATSOEVER  HOUSE  ye  enter;'  (and  here, 
lest  the  word  "  house''''  should  not  be  understood  by 
some,  we  will  quote  Saint  Paul,  Heb.  iii.  6;  he 
says,  "  Christ  (came)  as  a  Son  over  HIS  OWN 
HOUSE,  whose  HOUSE.  ARE  WE."  The  word 
^^  house,'''  therefore,  means  the  people  of  God,  those 
in  whom  the  SON  of  Peace  dwells.)  We  will  now 
continue  the  text :  "And  into  whatsoever  house  ye 
enter,  first  say  PEACE  be  to  this  house.  And  if  the 
SON  of  Peace  be  there,  your  peace  shall  rest  upon 
it."  By  this  we  learn  that  the  SON  OF  PEACE 
exists  at  the  same  time,  in  distinct  houses,  or 
churches;  and  is  everywhere,  or  is  Omnipresent, 
which  agrees  with  his  declaration,  John  xiv.  23,  just 
quoted  ;  and  also  with  Isa.  ix.  6. 

9.  And  is  further  confirmed  by  the  Prophet  Mi- 
cah  ;  he  declares  of  JESUS,  "And  THIS  MAN 
SHALL  BE  THE  PEACE."  Micah  v.  5.  Verily, 
JESUS  is  "the  Son  of  Peace."  Again,  "Where 
two  or  three  are  gathered  together  IN  MY  NAME," 
(saith  Jesus,)  "  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them." 
Matt,  xviii.  20.  Of  course,  Jesus  must  then  be 
everywhere,  for  these  assemblies  are  in  the  four 
quarters  of  the  world.  These  sayings  demonstrate, 
without  a  doubt,  the  ubiquity,  or  Omnipresence  of 
THE  SON. 

10.  We  believe  the  Eternal  Father  and  the 
Eternal  Holy  Ghost  dwell  in  Jesus,  the  Eternal 
Son,  as  they  have  dwelt  from  all  eternity, 
"bodily." 

11.  The  Eternal  Son,  even  Jesus,  we  believe  is 
the  ONLY  "  EXPRESS  IMAGE"  and  "  SHAPE" 
(John  V.  37),  of  the  Father.  And  JESUS,  the 
SON,  even  Him  who  died  for  us,  is  "  the  LORD 
GOD  of  the  HOLY  PROPHETS."    Rev.  xxii.  6, 


TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH.  59 

16.  Being  the  "only  Potentate"  "in  Heaven"  (John 
iii.  13),  or  in  earth,  as  we  are  expressly  assured  by 
Isaiah,  (Isa.  XLiv.  6,)  which  is  also  undeniable. 

12.  Because,  JESUS,  THE  SON,  IS  THE  MA- 
KER OF  ALL  THINGS  UNEXCEPTIONABLY. 
Col.  i.  16,  John  i.  3,  Heb.  i.  2.  And  JESUS,  our 
God,  was  WORSHIPPED  AS  GOD  from  the  time 
he  appeared  in  the  manger  at  Bethlehem,  Judea, 
until  the  moment  of  his  ascension,  see  Matt.  ii.  2- 
11,  (viii.  2,)  (ix.  18,)  ((jif^xiv.  33,.#S))  (xv.^25,) 
(xxviii.  9-17,)  Luke  (^xxiv.  52,^  John  ix.  38, 
which  accords  with  the  declaration  of  Saint  Paul, 
"That  at  the  NAME  OF  JESUS  every  knee 
SHOULD  BOW,  of  things  in  heaven,  of  things  in 
earthy  and  things  under  the  earth."  Phil.  ii.  10. 
Because,  as  JESUS,  THE  SON,  WAS  WORSHIP- 
PED AS  GOD,  and  HE  himself  declares  that  GOD 
ONLY  shall  be  w^orshipped:  Luke  iv.  8.  There- 
fore, having  accepted  divine  worship  as  his  due 
AND  JUST  PREROGATIVE,  HE  MUST  BE  GOD,  AND 

THE  ONLY  GOD. 

13.  For  Saint  Paul  declares  him  to  be  "  the  bless- 
ed AND  ONLY  POTENTATE,  the  King  of  Kings 
AND  Lord  of  Lords."  1  Tim.  yi.  15.  See  Rev. 
xvii.  14,  (xix.  16.) 

14.  And  we  believe,  HE,  even  JESUS,  will  rule 
AND  reign  over  all  created  beings,  for  they  were 
"  ALL  CREATED  BY  HIM,  AND  FOR  HIM," 
and  for  his  glory.  Col.  i.  16,  17.  And  we  be- 
lieve HIS  RULE  AND  REIGN,  Rev.  xi.  15, 
"  KINGDOM"  and  "  DOMINION,"  Dan.  vii.  13, 
14,  will  be  "for  ever  and  ever,"  Heb.  i.  8,  and 
CCPHAVE  "NO  END."X8  Luke  i.  33.  There- 
fore, Saint  Peter  testifies  that  we  shall  have  an  en- 
trance "  into  the  EVERLASTING  KINGDOM  of 
our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ."     2  Pet.  i.  11. 


60  TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

15.  We  believe  the  holy  doctrine  as  declared  by 
JESUS  HIMSELF,  which  is  that  there  is  BUT 
''  ONE  GOD,"  who  is  also  ''  ONE  LORD."  His 
language  is,  "  The  first  of  all  the  commandments  is 
HEAR,  0  Israel,  THE  LORD  our  GOD  is  ONE 
LORD."     Mark  xii.  29-32. 

16.  Therefore,  JESUS,  or  JEHOVAH  JESUS, 
thus  declares  himself  through  the  prophet  Isaiah  : 
*'  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  the  King  of  Israel,  and  his 
REDEEMER,  the  Lord  of  Hosts  :  is^l  AM  THE 
FIRST,  AND  I  AM  THE  LAST,  AND  BESIDE 
ME  THERE  IS  NO  GOD."  Isa.  xLiv.  6  :  see  Isa. 
XLiii.  10,  11. 

17.  Again,  ''I  am  he.  I  am  the  first,  I  also 
AM  THE  LAST.  MINE  HAND  hath  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  the  earth."  Isa.  xLviii.  12,  13,  see  xLii.  4, 
also  see  Heb.  i.  10.  So  that  it  is  evident  from  the 
Scriptures  just  quoted,  that  there  IS  NO  GOD  be- 
sides THAT  GOD  who  declared  himself  to  be  ^'the 
First  and  the  Last,"  to  the  Prophet  Isaiah. 

18.  And  this  truth,  that  "THE  FIRST  AND 
THE  LAST"  is  the  ONLY  GOD,  is  incontroverti- 
ble, and  cannot  be  denied.  Because  the  "  Scripture 
cannot  be  broken,"  (saith  Jesus.)    (John  x.  35.) 

19.  And  it  is  equally  incontrovertible  and  equally 
true,  that  Jehovah  God,  w^ho  spake  to  Isaiah,  and 
declared  himself  to  be  "  the  First  and  the  Last," 
IS  JESUS;  because  JESUS  ABSOLUTELY 
CLAIMS  THE  TITLE  or  appellation  of  the  First 
and  the  Last  FOR  HIMSELF  ALONE.  This  was 
when  he  made  the  glorious  manifestation  of  his  pre- 
sence to  Saint  John  on  the  "  Isle  of  Patmos,"  re- 
corded in  Revelations  i.  8,  11,  17,  (2  chap.  8, 
18,)  also  in  22  chap.  6,  13,  16. 

20.  In  these  texts  Jesus  thus  declares  himself  to 
the  Evangelist :  "Fear  not,  I   AM   THE  FIRST 


TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH.  61 

and  I  AM  THE  LAST,  I  am  HE  that  liveth  and 
^WAS  DEAD."^  (See  verse  17,  18.)  A^ain, 
*' These  things  saith  THE  FIRST  AND  THE 
LAST,  which  (^r^^WAS  DEAD."^  See  2  chap. 
8  verse. 

2L  Again,  "These  things,  saith  the  SON  OF 
GOD,  who  hath  his  eyes  like  unto  a  flame  of 

FIRE,  AND    HIS    FEET    ARE    LIKE    FINE  BRASS."       See 

chap.  ii.  18th  verse.  In  these  verses,  the  8th  and 
18th,  "  the  FIRST  AND  THE  LAST"  assures  us 
without  a  doubt,  that  HE  "  WAS  DEAD,"  and  that 
he  wasdrf^THE  SON  OF  GOD.^  See  Dan.  iii.25. 

22.  And  it,  therefore,  follows  of  necessity,  as 
the  Scriptures  are  true  and  "  cannot  be  broken," 
(John  X.  35,)  that  "  the  SON  OF  GOD,"  (who  per- 
sonally spoke  to  Saint  John  and  calls  himself  "the 
First  ard  the  Last,")  is  the  VERY  GOD  who 
spake  to  the  Prophet  Isaiah. 

23.  Moreover,  there  cannot  be,  (according  to  the 
Scriptures,)  TWO  BEINGS  who  have  the  TITLE 
and  PREROGATIVE  of  being  "  the  First  and  the 
Last.^'^     This  would  be  ?i  positive  contradiction. 

24.  Neither  can  there  be,  according  to  the  Scrip- 
tures, TWO  SONS  of  God,  who  can  claim,  the  same 
title;  because  JESUS  IS  "the  ONLY  BEGOTTEN 
SON ;"  there  is  NO  OTHER  SON  BEGOTTEN 
OUT  OF  GOD  THE  FATHER,  through  all 
eternity,  but  JESUS  the  "ONLY"  and  "ALONE" 
SON. 

25.  ({jt^pWe  are  "  adopted"  into  or  unto  God, 
Gal.  iv.  5,  therefore  ^^  sons  only  by  the  spirit  of 
adoption. "c^  Rom.  viii.  15.)  Therefore,  none 
can  claim  the  high  and  holy  appellation  of  "  the 
First  and  the  Last,"  but  JESUS. 

26.  As  he  again  assures  us  in  the  last  chapter  of 
the  Revelations :  he  there  again  declares,  "  I  am 

6 


62  title  of  the  church. 

Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  end, 
THE  First  and  the  Last."  See  Rev.  xxii. 
13.  And  he  continues,  (Jif-"  I  JESUS  have  sent 
mine  angel  to  testify  unto  you  these  things  in  the 
churches;"  this  is  in  the  16th  verse. 

27.  And  in  the  sixth  verse  of  the  same  chapter, 
it  is  written,  "And  the  LORD  GOD  OF  THE 
HOLY  PROPHETS  sent  his  angel?'  In  these 
verses  JESUS  undeniably  declares  himself  to  be 
THE  FIRST  AND  THE  LAST,  and  the  LORD 
GOD  OF  THE  HOLY  PROPHETS  ;  and,  there- 
fore, according  to  Isaiah,  xLiv.  6,  (cr^HE  IS  THE 
ONLY  GOD,=C^  and  there  is  none  other  in  time  or 
eternity:  because  he  declares  to  Isaiah,  (c$^"  BE- 
SIDES ME  THERE  IS  NO  GOD." 

28.  And  this  divine  being  is  called  the  "WORD." 
John  i.  2,  3,  (^Rev.  xix.  10—16.  "  And  the 
Word,"  (saith  John,)  "  was  MADE  FLESH  and 
dwelt  among  us."  John  i.  14,  (vi.  Q2.)  And  in 
Rev.  xix.  13,  we  read,  "  And  he  was  clothed  in 
a  vesture  dipped  in  blood,  and  his  name  is  called 
the  Word  of  God  :"  here  we  learn  and  see  plainly 
that  THE  WORD  WAS  CRUCIFIED,  and  "  dip- 
ped in  blood  :"  therefore,  saith  Saint  John,  our 
"  HANDS  have  handled  of  the  W^ord  of  Life." 

29.  From  the  numerous  records  of  the  Holy  Bi- 
ble of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  which  we  have 
just  quoted  and  referred  to,  it  becomes  a  Scriptural 
axiom,  that  the  DIVINE  BEING  who  declared  to 
the  Prophet  Isaiah,  "I  AM  THE  FIRST  AND  I 
AM  THE  LAST,"  and  besides  me  there  is  no  God. 
Isa.  XLiv.  6.  And  the  DIVINE  BEING  who  ut- 
tered the  same  words,  and  made  the  glorious  mani- 
festation of"  HIS  PERSON"  to  Saint  John,  on  the 
"Isle  of  Patmos,"  and  before  whom  "John  fell" 
''as  dead  at  his  feet;'  "ARE  ONE  AND  THE 


TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH.  63 

SAME  DIVINE  PERSON."  It  cannot  be  other- 
wise construed;  the  loords  are  the  same  as  in  Isaiah, 
namely,  "  I  AM  THE  FIRST  and  THE  LAST;" 
and  he  continues,  ''  I  am  he  thatliveth  AND  WAS 
DEAD."  By  this  declaration,  "  I  was^  dead,"  we 
know  it  was  JESUS,  the  SON  of  the  Father, 
who  spake  to  Saint  John,  and  to  Isaiah.  And  that 
when  he  said,  '■'' I  came  down  from  heaven,^''  he 
meant  literally  and  distinctly^  that  HE,  the  MAN, 
CHRIST  JESUS,  was  in  heaven  before^  and  would 
''ascend  up  where  he  WAS  BEFORE,"  as  he  de- 
clared, see  John  vi.  62. 

30.  Note.  (All  those  expressions  of  JESUS  our 
ETERNAL  GOD,  such  as  '•'not  to  do  mine  own 
will,^^  and  all  other  similar  expressions  of  submis- 
sion or  obedience,  or  of  weakness,  as  "  Take  away 
this  cup  from  me,"  Mark  xiv.  36  :  or  of  temptation 
and  despair,  as  on  the  cross,  when  he  uttered  the 
cry,  "  My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken 
me  ;"  these  he  expressed  as  man,  which  he  became  : 
Like  we  express,  under  a  sense  of  our  dependence 
upon  God,  or  when  we  are  under  the  power  of  temp- 
tation. As  David  was,  when  he  uttered  the  same 
cry,  "My  God,  m.y  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken 
me?"  See  Psalms  xxii.  1.  These  feelings,  suffer- 
ings, and  temptations,  must  NECESSARILY  BE 
FELT  by  the  ETERNAL  SON,  because  HE  WAS 
"MADE  FLESH,"  John  i.  14,  and  BECAME  A 
TRUE  AND  VERY  MAN  ;  and  this  was  effected  by 
assimilation  with  our  nature.  And  by  this  ASSIMI- 
LATION GOD  (John  i.  1-14),  BECAME  A  MAN 
and  a  MEDIATOR  between  man  and  the  penalty 
AND  THE  CURSE.  Geu.  iii.  17,  18,  19.  This  won- 
derjul  humiliation  is  beautifully  expressed  through- 
out the  fifty-third  chapter  of  Isaiah.  Also  see  Acts 
viii.  32,  .33.     For  "God  became  man  FOR  THE 


64  TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

VERY  PURPOSE  OF  MEDIATING  ;  and  that  he 
might  FEEL  the  INFIRMITIES  AND  TEMPTA- 
TIONS WHICH  US  MEN  FEEL."  2  Cor.  viii.  9. 
And  thus  as  a  mediator,  having  felt  in  his  own 
DIVINE  PERSON  OUT  CONDITION  as  men,  he  was  ena- 
bled^ according  to  the  Apostle,  Col.  ii.  15,  to  "spoil 
the  principalities  and  powers"  of  the  devil,  and  ^Hri- 
umph  over  them  {in  himself).'^''  Note.  These  words, 
"in  himself ^"^"^  is  according  to  the  original  and  the 
marginal  reading.  This  reading  we  believe^  because 
the  temptations  of  Jesus  were  "  also  in  himself ^'''^ 
^^ yet  without  sin.'' ^  Heb.  iv.  15.  "For  (saith  the 
Apostle)  in  that  he  himself  hzth  SUFFERED,  being 
tempted,  he  is  able  to  succor  those  that  are  tempted." 
Heb.  ii.  18.     (See  Article  X.,  page  82.) 

31.  This  "MAN,"  (saith  Saint  Paul,)  "  IS  THE 
LORD  FROM  HEAVEN,"  1  Cor.  xv.  47,  (see 
article  XI.  on  the  pre-existence  of  the  soul  of  Jesus,) 
and  "BEING  IN  THE  FORM  OF  GOD,"  saith 
the  same  Apostle,  "  thought  it  not  robbery  to  be 
EQUAL  WITH  GOD."  Phil.  ii.  6.  For  "Christ 
Jesus  was  IN  THE  FORM  OF  GOD,  and  was  in 
heaven  even  whilst  upon  earth,"  see  John  iii.  and 
13,  where  he  said  to  Nicodemus,  "  THE  SON  OF 
MAN  IS  IN  HEAVEN,"  (or  as  he  could  have  said, 
Even  now,  whilst  I  am  speaking  to  you,  JYicode- 
mus.Iam  "  IN  HEAVEN,"  which  "  is  my  throne,'' 
and  I  now  Jill  all  things,  and  by  me  '■''all  things 
CONSIST,")  see  Col.  i.  17,  ''''I  came  forth"  (see 
John  xvi.  28),  into  this  outward  "  shape"  of  a 
man.  But  my  glory  \s  unchangeably  " /Ae  same," 
and  is  only  hidden  by  '•'•the  veil,"  which  is  my 
''flesh."     ("Heb.  X.  20.) 

32.  Our  object  in  quoting  the  texts  from  John  vi. 
38-62,  paragraph  29,  is  to  show  that  the  MAN 
Christ  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  even  the  same  who  suf- 


TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH.  65 

fered,  bled,  and  died  on  Mount  Calvary,  "  came 
DOWN  FROM  HEAVEN,"  and  ascended  up  where  he 
WAS  BEFORE,  as  he  declared  ;  and  that  he  existed 
AS  A  SON  IN  ETERNITY  with  the  Father,  before 
he  ^^was  made  flesh  and  dwelt  among  us.^"* 

33.  Or,  ashe  more /j/ax^i/j/ declared,  John  xvi.28- 
31,  "I  CAME  FORTH  FROM  THE  FATHER, 
and  am  come  into  theworld,  AGAIN  I  leave  the  world 
and  go  to  the  Father.''^  This  plain  declaration  to  the 
Apostles  they  understood,  and  THEN,  at  that  last 
moment,  believed  for  the  first  time^  that  tne  MAN  JK- 
S\]S,who?n  they  saw  be/arethem,\\ AS  IN  HEAVEN 
BEFORE.  "Lo,"  (saith  his  di^iples,)  "now 
speakest  thou  PLAINLY,  now  we  ARE  SURE 
that  thou  knowest  all  things;  by  this  we  believe 
THOU  CAMEST  FORTH  FROM  GOD.  Jesus 
answered  them,  DO  YE  NOW  BELIEVE.?"  Jesus 
thus  seals  and  confirms  their  declaration,  that  he 
knev)  '-'•all  things,''''  ''''and  came  forth  from  God.'''' 

34.  We  have  clearly  demonstrated  in  this  chap- 
ter, that  there  cannot  be  TW^O  SONS  of  God,  bear- 
ing the  title  of  "The  First  and  the  Last:"  be- 
cause JESUS  is  the  "ONLY  begotten  Son.'"  How 
then  can  there  be  any  other?  Therefore,  the  doc- 
trine taught  in  the  orthodox  theological  schools, 
that  the  Eternal  and  only  Son,  CANNOT  nor  did 
not  SUFFER,  we  utterly  reject. 

35.  They  all  profess  to  believe  in  an  Eternal 
Son,  "co-eternal  with  the  Father,^^  and  also  equal 
to  hina.    They  teach,  however,  that  Jesus  had  "two 

WHOLE      AND     (c^-DISTINCT     NATURES,"      which     are 

merely  united,  and  not  MIXED  nor  CONFUSED, 
that  is,  one  eternal  part,  that  could  not  suffer,  and 
one  human  part,  that  could  and  did  suffer.  Now  as 
they  teach,  from  the  pulpit  and  books,  that  the  SON 
of  God  actually  SUFFERED,  they  must,  of  neces- 
6* 


66  TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

sity,  mean,  that  the  HUMAN  part  is  that  SON  of 
God.  And  as  they  also  teach  that  we  are  saved  by 
the  SUFFERINGS  of  the  SON  of  God,  they  must 
necessarily  attribute  man^s  redemption  to  this  human 
Son,  or  part  which  suffered.  From  this  category  or 
predicament  there  is  no  escape.  The  conclusion  is 
inevitable,  that  they  believe  there  are  TWO  SONS 
of  God,  because  the  suffering  Son  and  the  natures 
are  DISTINCT.  That  is,  one  Eternal  Son  who 
could  not  suffer,  and  one  distinct  human  Son  that 
could  and  did  suffer.  We  learn  from  the  immediate 
testimony  of  the  light,  blessing,  comfort,  and  joy,  and 
counsel  of  the  HOLY  SPIRIT  OF  JESUS,  which 
unfolds  to  us  the  truths  of  the  Gospel,  that  ''  THE 
WORD  C#=WAS  MADE  FLESH,c#j)  and  dwelt 
AMONG  US."  That  is,  "GOD,"  John  i.  1,  BE- 
CAME A  MAN,  AND  WAS  CALLED  JESUS 
and  IMMANUEL,  or  "  GOD  WTTH  US,"  conse- 
quently w^e  believe  the  divine  and  human  natures 
were  ASSIMILATED  INTO  ONE. 

36.  ThisMANnamedJESUS,andTHESoNOFGoD, 
is  called  by  the  unenlightened,  and  Unitarians,  and 
Socinians  generally,  in  all  their  phases  and  grades. 
The  Humanity,  and  inferior  to  the  Father.  Some 
of  them  say  the  Son  of  God,  even  Jesus,  was  a  mere 
man. 

37.  Others  maintain,  like  Dr.  Adam  Clarke,  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  his  commenta- 
ries on  Saint  Luke,  that  there  w^ere  two  distinct  na- 
tures in  Jesus,  ONE  NATURE  which  was  DI- 
VINE, and  ''COULD  NOT  BE  BORN,"  and  never 
was  BEGOTTEN,  either  in  time  or  eternity,  and  ONE 
human  nature  which  was  begotten  of  the  Virgin  Mary  ^ 
which  HUMAN  NATURE,  (he  says,)  is  called  in 
the  Scriptures  "  the  Son  of  God,  and  INFERIOR 
TO  HIM." 


TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH.  67 

38.  Dr.  Clarke,  therefore,  "  rejects"  the  doctrine 
of  the  Eternal  Sonship,  as  maintained  by  ourselves 
and  "  the  orthodox  churches,"  and  says  it  is  ''  anti- 
scriptural  AND  HIGHLY  DANGEROUS."  That  is,  it 
is  dangerous  to  believe  that  the  SON  of  God  is  DI- 
VINE and  ETERNAL  AS  A  SON.  This  is  a  new 
aspect  of  belief,  because  the  Dr.  has  the  boldness  to 
write  as  though  he  was  a  Trinitarian.  This  is  mo- 
dern Socinianism^  and  is  full  of  subtility  and  deceit, 
and  is  fully  refuted  in  the  next  chapter  of  the  Arti- 
cles of  Faith,  and  that  headed  arguments,  and  the 
article  "The  Man  Christ  Jesus,"  and  other  refuta- 
tions in  this  book  of  the  false  doctrine  of  "  The  Hy- 
postatical  union." 

39.  JESUS  declared  to  Nicodemus,   "No  man 

HATH    ASCENDED  UP    TO    HEAVEN,   but     HE    that  Caiue 

down  from  heaven,  EVEN  THE  SON  OF  MAN, 
which  is  (jit-IN  HEAVEN."^  John  iii.  13.  Again 
he  says,  I  came  down  from  heaven,  "  What  and  if 
ye  shall  see  the  Son  of  Man  ascend  up  where  he 
WAS  BEFORE?"  John  vi.  38-62.  Again,  "And 
now,  0  Father,  glorify  thou  me  with  thine  OW^N 
SELF,  with  the  glory  which  (jtf-I  HAD  w^ith  thee 
BEFORE  THE  w^oRLD  WAS."  John  xvii.  5.  The 
doctrines  of  Dr.  A.  Clarke  just  quoted,  /eacAthat  it  is 
*' highly  dangerous''''  to  believe  these  sayings  of  Jesus. 

40.  These  sayine^s  absolutely  assure  us  that  JE- 
JUS,  the  SON  OF  GOD,  and  SON  OF  MAN,  PRE- 
EXISTED or  existed  in  heaven  BEFORE  he  was 
born  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  even  "  before  the  world 
was.''"'  As  Daniel  testifies,  iii.  25,  "  The  form  of 
the  fourth  is  like  the  SON  of  God." 

4L  Therefore  He  saith,  BEFORE  Abram  was, 
I  AM.  John  viii.  58.  Saint  Paul  declares,  "  The 
first  man  (Adam)  is  of  the  earth,  earthy,  the  SECOND 
MAN  (Jesus)  IS  THE  LORD  FROM  HEAVEN." 
1  Cor.  XV.  47.  W"e  have  introduced  in  this  explana- 


68  TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

tion  the  Socinian  doctrines  of  Dr.  A.  Clarke,  to  re- 
fute them  and  ^M«r£/ our  members  against  them,  and 
to  refer  the  reader  to  the  refutation  of  them  and 
similar  doctrines,  in  our  next  chapter,  &c. 

42.  We  believe  that  because  the  Eternal  Fa- 
ther and  the  Eternal  Holy  Ghost  have  dwelt 
IN"  Jesus,  the  Eternal  Son,  (as  we  have  before 
clearly  proven,)  from  all  eternity,  John  i.  12,  Mi- 
cah  V.  2,  and  the  Apostle  Paul  declares  him  to  be 
the  "EXPRESS  IMAGE"  of  God's  "Person."  Heb. 
i.  3.  And  because  Saint  John  records  that  he  is  the 
very  PERSON  and  "SHAPE"  of  the  Father;  and 
that  those  who  SAW  JESUS,  SAW  and  KNEW 
THE  FATHER.  See  John  xiv.  7,  9,  x.  30,  v. 
37.  And  because  the  Prophet  Isaiah  declares  that 
the  NAME  of  the  SON  OF  GOD  IS  "  THE  EVER- 
LASTING FATHER !"     Isa.  ix.  6. 

43.  Therefore,  we  believe  that  although  there  are 
THREE  PERSONS  named  in  "  the  Godhead,"  yet  there 
are  not  ^iSf^THREE  IMAGES. <4^  But  we  believe 
there  is  ONE  ONLY  "IMAGE,"  or  appearance  of 
God,  either  to  angels  in  Heaven,  or  unto  men. 

44.  And  THAT  "IMAGE,"  Heb.  i.  3,  or 
"SHAPE,"  Johnv.  37,  and  "PERSON"  of  God,  is 
JESUS,  THE  ETERNAL  SON,  called  the  "second 
person  in  the  Trinity,"  who  became  a  true  and  very 
man  by  assimilation  with  our  flesh,  therefore,  the 
MAN  JESUS  "WAS  GOD,"  and  WAS  and  IS 
the  ONLY  GOD.  Isa.  xLiv.  6,  John  i.  1,  14.  As 
he  declared  to  Isaiah  in  another  place,  BELIEVE 
ME!  (saiih  he,)  "That  I  AM  HE!!  Before  me 
there  was  no  0#=GOD  FORMED!  (or  begotten,) 
NEITHER  SHALL  THERE  BE  AFTER  ME.  I, 
even  I  am  THE  LORD  ! !  and  BESIDE  ME  THERE 
IS  NO  Oif^SAVIOUR..^  Yea,  before  the  DAY 
WAS  I  AM  HE."  Isa.  xLiii.  10,  11,  13.    GLORY 


TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH.  69 

BE  TO  JESUS,  TRULY  THOU  ART  THE  ONLY 

GOD  and  Saviour ! !  These  texts  accord  with  his 
declaration  whilst  upon  earth.  Before  Abram  was, 
I  AM.     (John  viii.  58.) 

45.  Therefore,  w^e  the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son, 
WORSHIP  JESUS,  the  ''one  Lord''  and  one  God, 
AS  ALL  THE  ANGELICAL  HOSTS  OF  HEA- 
VEN WORSHIP  HIM ;  so  saith  Saint  Paul,  Heb. 
i.  6,  Psal.  xcvii.  7,  9.  And  as  the  APOSTLES  and 
others  WORSHIPPED  HIM  before  and  after  his  re- 
surrection, and  before  his  ascension,  w^hilst  he  w^as 
yet  upon  earth,  and  which  he  ACCEPTED  AS  HIS 
DUE.  Matt.  ii.  11,  (xiv.  33,)  (xxviii.  17,)  Luke 
xxiv.  52,  John  xx.  28,  29.  He,  therefore,  MUST 
BE  GOD,  because  he  being  "the  HOLY  ONE  and 
the  JUST,"  (who  declared  that  the  Lord  God  ONLY 
should  be  worshipped  and  served:  See  Luke  iv.  8.) 
He  would  not  have  accepted  Divine  w^orship,  if 
HE  WAS  NOT  God.     (See  paragraph  12.) 

46.  For  to  the  NAME  OF  JESUS  "  EVERY 
KNEE  SHOULD  BOW,"  (saith  the  Apostle,)  "of 
things  in  heaven,  of  things  in  earth,  and  things  under 
the  earth,'.'  Phil.  ii.  10.  So  also,  saith  the  Pro- 
phet, Isa.  XLV.  23,  "unto  me  every  knee  shall  bow," 
because  JESUS  THE  (jif^LAMB^  is  Lord  of 
Lords  and  King  of  Kings,  Rev.  xvii.  14,  and 
King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of  Lords.  Rev.  xix. 
16.     ''And  the  only  Potentate."  1  Tim.  vi.  15. 

47.  And  he  will  be  our  final  Judge  at  the  "  Last 
day."  Then!  when  JESUS  "WILL  SIT  ON  THE 
THRONE  OF  HIS  GLORY,"  Matt.  xxv.  31,  "  and 
before  him  will  be  gathered  all  nations,"  as  he  him- 
self declared.  Matt.  xxv.  31,  32.  THEN  all  will 
see  that  HE  "IS  THE  BLESSED  AND  ONLY 
POTENTATE,"  1  Tim.  vi.  15,  and  THE  GOD 


70  TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

this  Church  has   TRUSTED  IN,  and  to  lohom  we 
pray  for  every  blessing,  and  whom  lue  worship. 

48.  The  foregoing  is  our  explanation  of  the  title 
of  this  Church,  "The  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son." 
We  have  clearly  demonstrated,  from  the  holy  re- 
cords of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments — firstly,  that 
the  SON  is  eteriial  AS  A  SON.  Secondly,  that  he 
w^as  begotten  INSTANTLY  with  the  Father^s  own 
existence.  Thirdly,  that  he  is  the  VERY  IMAGE  of 
the  Father'' s  person,  and  being  the  "PERSON  and 
SHAPE"  of  the  Father,  he  is  '' the  Father  also.'' 
Fourthly,  that  he  is  coeternal,  and  coequal,  and 
equally  Omnipotent,  Omniscient,  and  Omnipresent 
with  the  Father.  Fifthly,  that  he,  the  SON,  was 
w^orshipped  from  all  eternity,  and  whilst  upon  earth 
as  God,  and  will  be  worshipped  and  adored  WITH- 
OUT END.  Sixthly,  that  he  will  REIGN  OVER 
THE  UNIVERSE,  over  all  GODS,  and  LORDS,  and 
KINGS,  WITHOUT  END.  Seventhly,  that  he, 
the  SON,  himself  declares  there  is  BUT  "ONE 
LORD"  and  God,  who  shall  be  worshipped  or 
served.  See  Luke  iv.  8.  He  RECEIVED  DIVINE 
WORSHIP  and  APPROVED  OF  IT.  HE  is, 
therefore,  the  ONE  ONLY  LORD  AND  GOD,  being 
Jehovah  Jesus,  "the  First  and  the  Last."  Eighthly, 
He,  the  Eternal  Son,  and  the  MAN  Christ  Jesus  of 
Nazareth,  who  suffered  hunger,  thirst,  and  pain, 
w^ho  was  tempted,  and  felt  all  our  infirmities,  and 
who  finally  laid  down  his  life  for  us,  himself,  on  the 
cross,  on  Mount  Calvary,  and  just  before  he  ex- 
pired, cried  "My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  for- 
saken me?"  We  have  proven  that  the  ETERNAL 
SON,  and  THIS  MAN,  who  thus  suffered  and  died, 
ARE  ONE  and  the  SAME  PERSON,  that  is,  the 
MAN  was  GOD  in  one  ENTIRE  NATURE,  be- 
cause "GOD"  "WAS  MADE  FLESH,"  saith  the 


TITLE  OF  THE  CHURCH.  71 

Apostle,  through  the  Holy  Ghost.  Ninthly,  we  have 
proven,  from  the  Scriptures,  that  there  cannot  be 
two  distinct  natures  in  the  person  of  Jesus,  one  hu- 
man nature  which  suffered^  and  one  Divine  nature 
w^hich  did  not  and  could  not  suffer,  as  is  now  taught 
in  all  the  ^^  Orthodox'''  Theological  Schools  throughout 
all  Christendom,  even  in  the  Roman  Catholic  Schools. 
It  makes  two  Sons  in  the  Holy  Trinity,  because  the 
natures  are  perfectly  distinct  and  not  '^  mixed  nor 
confused,''''  as  they  teach.  Besides  it  makesybo/wA- 
ness  of  the  Scriptures,  and  the  Lord's  Prayer,  John 
xvii.  5,  which  we  have  proven.  Tenthly,  we  have 
proven,  from  the  Scriptures,  that  there  is  hut  one 
eternal  and  only  image  and  person  of  God,  who  can 
be  worshipped  or  adored;  and,  therefore,  although 
there  is  a  Holy  Trinity  of  persons,  yet  there  are  not 
three  distinct  "  images"  or  "  shapes"  of  God.  The 
Eternal  Son,  even  Jesus,  who  died  for  us,  IS  that 
very  Divine  person  whom  all  the  angels,  the  holy 
MEN  OF  OLD,  and  the  justified  or  redeemed  souls 
OF  MEN,  in  "  the  kingdom  of  heaven,'^''  always  did, 
and  do  now^  worship. 

49.  And,  therefore,  WE  MEAN  BY  THE  "  TI- 
TLE," "THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  ETERNAL 
SON,  (1#=-THE  CHURCH  OF  GOD,  which  he  hath 
purchased  with  his  OWN  BLOOD, "=#D  as  Saint 
Paul  declares  through  the  "Holy  Ghost,"  Acts  xx. 
28,  even  the  "Blood  of  his  Cross"  on  Mount  Cal- 
vary ;  and  whom  Saint  John  declares  is  {jtf-THE 
TRUE  GOD."  1  John  v.  20.  And  we  can  repeat 
with  the  Psalmist  and  the  Apostle  Paul,  the  immor- 
tal truth  recorded  Heb.  i.  8,  Psal.  xlv.  6,  7,  and  in 
the  same  language  with  them,  in  adoration  exclaim, 
"UNTO  THE  SON,"  "THY  THRONE,  0  GOD, 
IS  FOREVER  AND  EVER!"  Amen!  Halle- 
lujah! < 


72 


CHAPTER  III. 
ARTICLES  OF  FAITH 

AND  DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  ETERNAL  SON. 

Article  L 
"  THE  TRUE  GOD."     1  John  v.  20. 

We  believe  that  "  JESUS  CHRIST  OF  NAZA- 
RETH," "the  only  begotten  Son,''  EVEN  THE 
VERY  SAME  MAN  who  was  CRUCIFIED,  and 
suffered,  and  bled,  and  died,  between  two  thieves 
on  Mount  Calvary,  "IS  THE  TRUE  GOD."  This 
is  the  express  declaration  of  the  Apostle  John,  in  his 
First  Epistle,  5th  chapter,  20th  verse,  he  there 
testifies  that  the  "  Son  Jesus  Christ  is  the  TRUE 
GOD!"  See  in  connection,  Isa.  ix.  6,  Rev.  xvii. 
14,  1  Tim.  vi.  15,  Acts  xx.  28,  1  Johniii.  16,  Rev. 
xxii.  6,  13,  16. 

Article  11, 

HIS  ONENESS,  or  eternal  identity  or  sameness  with 
the  eternal  LORD  JEHOVAH  and  One  God. 

We  believe  that  JESUS,  "the  true  God,"  (1 
John  V.  20,)  became  man,  and  "was  made  flesh," 
(John  i.  14,)  not  in  two  distinct  natures  ;  but  we 
believe  the  MAN  JESUS  WAS  GOD  IN  PERFECT 
UNION  AND  ASSIMILATION  WITH  OUR  NA- 
TURE, from  the  Virgin  Mary,  see  1  Cor.  xv.  47, 
John  xiv.  7,  x.  30 ;  and  that  the  Divine  and  hu- 
man NATURES  became  "  ONE,"  even  ONE  FLESH; 
or,  to  explain  more  clearly,  we  believe  the  Divine 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.  73 

and  Eternal  "IMAGE,"  *'  BODY,"  "  NATURE," 
or  PERSON  of  the  Eternal  SON,  in  which  HE  pre- 
existed,  and  after  which  ^Hmage^^  or  ^^  likeness"* "^  man 
was  made.  (See  Gen.  i.  26,  27.)  We  believe  this 
"DIVINE  NATURE,"  as  Saint  Peter  calls  it,  2 
Peter  i.  4,  became  man,  or  "WAS  gif^MADE 
FLESH. "e^  Therefore,  according  to  the  prayer 
of  Jesus  himself,  recorded  John  xvii.  5,  ((ji^to 
which  we  wish  the  reader  particularly  to  refer); 
this  "Divine  nature"  (then  "made  flesh,")  was 
RESTORED,  was  REGLORiFiED  or  glorified  agai7i  "with 
THE  glory"  "which"  it  "HAD"  with  the  Father 
"BEFORE  THE  WORLD  WAS."  And  Saint 
Paul,  speaking  of  ChrisVs  reglorified  and  glorious 
body,  declares  that  this  was  done  "According  to  the 
working  by  which  he  is  able  even  to  SUBDUE 
i^khh  THINGS  UNTO  HLMSELF."^  Philip- 
pians  iii.  21.  And  as  this  was  done  according  to 
the  "ETERNAL  PURPOSE"  of  the  Godhead,  it 
was  an  UNCHANGEABLE  PURPOSE,  therefore 
the  Divine  Spirit  and  "Divine"  nature  changed 
NOT  when  it  "was  made  flesh"  and  became  man, 
the  PURPOSE  being  eternal  or  unchangeable,  so  saith 
the  Apostle.  Eph.  iii.  11.  And  it  was  thus  that 
God  became  man,  and  "veiled"  his  "majesty" 
and  GLORY.  Heb.  x.  20.  And  we  believe  there  is 
NO  OTHER  GOD  besides  ''Jesus  Christ  of  A'^aza- 
reth,'''*  in  time,  or  in  eternity,  in  heaven,  or  in  earth. 
See  Isa.  xLiv.  6,  7,  8,  Rev.  i.  8,  11,  17,  18,  (ii.  8,) 
(xxii.  6,  13,  16,)  1  Tim.  vi.  15.  "Neither  is  there 
SALVATION  in  any  other,"  saith  the  Apostle.  Acts 
iv.  12.  See  John  xiv.  6.  (Ji^^Hosea  xiii.  4. 
7 


74  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

Article  III. 
HIS  Godhead,  or  Trinity. 

We  believe  the  Eternal  Father  and  the  Eternal 
Holy  Ghost  ARE  IN  the  one  ''true  God,''  and  the 
SAJviE  AS  the  one  ''true  God,''  EVEN  JESUS,  who 
is  the  LORD  JEHOVAH  HIMSELF.  See  Isa.  xii. 
2.  We  believe  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
DWELL  IN  Jesus,  and  Jesus  in  them,  according 
to  his  holy  sayings,  see  John  xiv.  10,  11,  as  they 
have  dwelt,  the  one  within  the  other,  AS  ONE,  "from 
everlastijig,"  that  is,  from  all  eternity,  Micah  v.  2; 
and  are  one  in  essence  and  one  in  identity.  John 
X.  30.  JESUS,  THE  SON,  being,  according  to 
his  0\VS  glorious  declaration,  "THE  (VERY)  FA- 
THER ALSO.     See  John  xiv.  7,  i.  10,  Isa.  ix.  6. 

We  believe  the  Eternal  SON  and  "the  only  be- 
gotten Son"  of  the  Father,  even  Jesus.  ((|f^=For 
there  is  no  other  So7i  BEGOTTEN  out  of  God  the 
Father's  own  essences.)  We  believe  this  SON, 
even  JESUS,  was  begotten  from  everlasting,  from 
all  eternity  :  therefore.  Saint  Paul  calls  him  the 
"EVERLASTING  GOD."  See  Romans  xvi.  26, 
and  also  see  Micah  v.  2,  and  John  i.  1,  2.  We 
believe  He  existed  IMMEDIATELY  with  the  Fa~ 
ther's  own  eternal  existence,  or  at  the  ^k^=SAME 
ETERNAL  INSTANT,^}  because  the  Son 
KNO  WETH  the  Father  just  as  the  Father  KNO  W- 
ETH  him,  and  doeth  the  VERY  SA.ME  THINGS 
that  the  Father  doeth.  See  John  x.  15,  and  v.  19. 
And  because  JESUS,  the  Eternal  SON,  is  the  VERY 
(ESSENTIAL)  "GLORY"  of  the  Father,  see  Rev. 
xxi.  23,  John  viii.  12,  (i.  9,)  Heb.  i.  3;  and  with- 
out whom,  there  would  be  NO  DIVINE  "BRIGHT- 
NESS" nor  GLORY,  and,  therefore,  his  existence 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.  75 

is  equally  eternal.  Moreover,  without  JESUS,  THE 
SON,  there  would  be  NO  GOD  and  "no  Saviour," 
Isa.  xuii.  10,  11,  and  no  being  to  uphold  or  sustain 
the  universe  of  things.  "AND  BY  HIM,  the  Son, 
"ALL  THINGS '"CONSIST,"  saith  the  Apostle, 
(Colos.  i.  17,)  or  are  held  together;  and  JESUS 
being  "the  TRUE  GOD,"  therefore  the  "mwwme- 
rable  multitude''''  of  "redeemed"  souls.  Rev.  vii. 
9,  10,  and  "a/Z  the  angels  of  God,''  ^YORSHIP 
THE  "  SON,"  so  saith  the  Apostle.     Heb.  i.  6. 

Article  IV. 

The  Omnipotence,  Identity,  and  oxeness  of  Jesus 
with  the  Lord  Jehovah. 

We  believe  that  JESUS  IS  "  THE  ALMIGHTY," 
and  "the  First  and  the  Last."  For  these  he  de- 
clares are  his  own  names.  See  Revelation  i.  8,17, 
18,  and  ii.  8,  18.  Now  as  there  cannot  be  two 
Gods,  nor  two  beings  who  can  claim  the  holy  pre- 
rogative and  title  of  "  The  First  and  the  Last,'' 
therefore,  the  Divine  being,  who  spake  to  Isaiah,  and 
declared,  (ct^-"I  am  the  First  and  I  am  the  Last, 
and  BESIDES  me  there  is  no  God,"  MUST  BE  JE- 
SUS.    See  Isa.  XLiv.  6,  8,  and  xLi.  4,  and  xLviii. 

12.  For  in  the  first,  second,  and  last  chapters  of 
the  Revelation,  JESUS  ONLY  and  ALONE  claims 
that  TITLE.     In   the   last  chapter,  see  Rev.  xxii. 

13,  16,  he  declares,  "I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the 
beginning  and  the  end.  THE  FIRST  AND  THE 
LAST."  "  I,  (!#=  JESUS,  have  sent  MINE  ANGEL 
to  testify  unto  you  these  things  in  the  Churches." 
Here  JESUS  absolutelv  claims  the  title  of  the  First 
and  the  Last  as  HIS  OWN,  "WHO  IS,  (saith  Saint 
Paul,)  the  BLESSED  AND  ONLY  POTENTATE." 


76  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

1  Tim.  vi.  15.  Therefore,  those  who  "  deny"  JESUS 
"the  First  and  the  Last,  (J#=who  was  dead,"-^ 
Rev.  ii.  8,  to  he  ^^THE  TRUE  GOD,"  "  deny"  the 
ONLY  LORD  GOD  ALMIGHTY,"  1  John  ii.  22, 
Rev.  xxii.  6,  which  IS,  and  which  WAS,  and  which 
IS  TO  COME.  Rev.  i.  8.  The  Maker  and  Creator 
of  all  things  unexceptionahly,  visible  and  invisible, 
"  For  all  things,  (saith  Saint  Paul,)  were  made  by 
him,  and  for  him,"  or  FOR  HIMSELF.  Col.  i.  16. 

Article  V. 

No    MAN    CAN    SEE    THE   UNVEILED    GLORY    OF   JeSUS, 
AND  LIVE. 

We  believe  no  man  can  see  Jesus  now,  in  his 
unveiled  glory,  and  live,  because  when  Saint  John 
"  saw  him"  he  "fell  at  his  feet  as  dead."  (jc^Rev. 
i.  17,  18,  Ez.  xxxiii.  20.  Therefore,  the  Apostle 
calls  his  FLESH  "the  veil,"  Heb.  x.  20,  by  which 
"  veiV"  the  creatures  he  had  made,  could  "  see,  look 
upon,  and  handle  the  Word  of  life, ^"^  as  John  declares 
1  John  i.  1.  This  text  demonstrates  that  THE 
WORD  WAS  MADE  FLESH,  as  the  Apostle  testi- 
fies, John  i.  14.  In  his  transfiguration  he  suffered 
his  glory  to  shine  through  the  flesh  or  "veil,"  when 
"  HIS  FACE  DID  SHINE  AS  THE  SUN,  and  his 
raiment  was  white  as  the  light.''''  Matt.  xvii.  2. 
Therefore,  when  he  shall  appear  at  the  last  day,  he 
will  sit  on  the  throne  of  his  glory,  (Matt.  xxv.  31,) 
"And  we  shall  see  him  as  HE  IS,"  1  John  iii.  2, 
in  his  "most  glorious  body."  He  is  called  the 
BRIGHTNESS  of  the  Father's  glory,  Heb.  i.  3,  and  the 
very  glory  and  light  of  the  Holy  City,  New  Jeru- 
salem, Rev.  xxi.  23,  which  no  mortal  eye  can  look 
upon. 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.  77 

Article  VI. 

His  Incarnation. 

We  believe  Jesus,  the  "true  God"  and  eternal 
Son,  "  came  down  from  heaven^^^  or,  as  he  in  another 
place  declares,  '■'■forth  from  the  Father ^^"^  John  xvi. 
t>8,  and  became  a  true  and  very  man,  like  unto 
us,  having  body  and  soul  IN  ONE  ENTIRE 
WHOLE  and  PERFECT  NATURE,  yet  without 
sin,  and  holy,  which  body  of  flesh  he  derived  from 
the  blessed  Virgin  Mary.  He  was,  however,  as  the 
Apostle  declares,  "  WITHOUT  FATHER,  WITH- 
OUT MOTHER,  (according  to  the  flesh,)  see  Heb. 
vii.  3,  WITHOUT  (^DESCENT,  having  neither 
BEGINNING  OF  DAYS,  nor  END  OF  LIFE."  Being  the 
self- subsisting  (John  v.  21,  26,)  and  only  "Lord 
God"  "Almighty,"  Rev.  i.  8,  that  he  always  was 
from  all  eteriiity,  as  he  declares,  "  Before  Abram 
was,  I  AM."     John  viii.  38,  John  i.  30. 

Article  VII. 

"The  true  God"  became  Passible  or  suffered. 

We  believe  that  "  God,"  John  i.  1,  having  thus 
ASSIMILATED  HIMSELF  with  our  nature,  be- 
came PASSIBLE,  or  capable  of  suffering,  and  was 
"  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities  and  weak- 
nesses, and  "  was  IN  ALL  POINTS  TExMPTED 
like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin,^^  (so  saith  the 
Apostle.  Heb.  iv.  15.)  And  having  become  MAN 
for  this  vei^y  purpose  of  suffering  and  mediating, 
he,  therefore,  "  in  his  humiliation'*''  as  MAN,  says, 
"  let  this  cup  pass  from  me,"  Matt.  xxvi.  39. 
My  Father  is  greater  than  I.     (John  xiv.  2.)     A 


78  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

man  that  hath  told  you  the  truth  which  I  have 
heard  from  God.  John  viii.  40.  He  uttered  these' 
and  similar  sayings  as  MAN,  which  HE  BE- 
CAME. John  i.  14.  He  cried  out,  "My  God, 
my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me,"  whilst  nailed 
to  the  cross.  This  was  the  last  of  his  temptations, 
for  he  was  i^m  ALL  POINTS.:^)!)  tempted  as  WE 
ARE,  (saith  the  Apostle,)  yet  without  sin.  Heb. 
iv.  15.  And  as  DESPAIR  of  God''s  mercy  is  one  of 
the  CERTAIN  and  peculiar  temptations  of  every  soul 
before  it  can  he  "BORN  AGAIN,"  so  he  MUST 
FEEL  IT  AS  WE  FEEL  IT. 

Those  who  "have  passed  from  death  unto  /j/e," 
all  know  how  dark  and  despairing  was  the  hour  be- 
fore their  souls  were  set  at  liberty  by  the  new  birth. 
He  then  declared.  Father,  into  thy  hands  I  commend 
my  spirit.  This  was  an  act  of  humiliation,  for  he 
humbled  himself  "even  to  the  death  of  the  cross." 
Phil.  ii.  8.  "  For  in  all  things  it  behoved  him  to 
be  made  like  unto  his  brethren,  (saith  the  Apostle,) 
for  in  that  he  himself  hdXh  suffered',  being  tempted, 
he  is  able  to  succour  them  that  are  tempted."  Heb. 
ii.  16,  17,  18.  He  being  unchangeably  "GOD," 
the  ETERNAL  SON,  and  "the  true  God,"  (1 
John  V.  20,)  spake  often  in  the  most  positive  lan- 
guage of  his  Eternity,  Omnipresence,  Omnipotence, 
and  Omniscience,  of  acting  by  and ybr  himself,  and 
according  to  HIS  OWN  WILL,  and  of  his  supreme 
right  to  all  things  as  the  one  God.  For  example, 
he  saith  "before  Abram  was,  I  AM."  John  viii.  58. 
"  Where  two  or  three  are  gathered  together  IN  MY 
NAME,"  (the  name  of  JESUS,)  "THERE  AM  I 
in  the  midst.''  Matt,  xviii.  20.  If  the  SON  OF 
PEACE  be  THERE,  your  peace  shall  rest  upon 
that  house.  Luke  x.  6.  ALL  POWER  is  given 
unto  ME  IN  HEAVEN,  and  IN  EARTH.     Matt. 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.  79 

xxviii.  18.     As  the  Father  KNOWETH  me,  EVEN 
SO  KNOW  I  the  Father.     John  x.  15.     "Now  we 
are  SURE  thou  KNOWEST  ALL  THINGS,"  saith 
his  disciples.  Bo  ye  NOW  BELIEVE  ?  saith  Jesus. 
John  xvi.  30,  31.     The  SON  quickeneth  whom  HE 
WILL.     John  Y.  21.     ALL  things  that  the  Father 
HATH,  ARE  MINE.     John  xvi.  15.     All  that  are 
(Itf-"  TAUGHT  OF  GOD,^^  or  hath  learned  of  the 
Father,  Orf^COMETH  UNTO   ME."^     John  vi. 
45.     In  this  text  Jesus  proclaims  his  ONENESS  to 
his  children,  and  from  this  alone  it  is  manifest  that 
JESUS   IS  GOD.     He  openly  reveals  the  Father  to 
his  disciples  in  the  14th  chapter  of  John,  7th  verse, 
in  these  w^ords,  "If  ye  had  KNOWN  ME,  ye  would 
have  KNOWN  ray  FATHER  ALSO.     And  from 
HENCEFORTH  YE  KNOW  HIM  and  have  {Ir^SEEN 
HIM."-^     But   none  can  believe  these  texts,  that 
Jesus  is  the  very  ^^Everlasting  Father,'^''  Isa.  ix.  6, 
but  "hy  the  Holy  Ghost:'     1  Cor.  xii.  3.     There 
are  many  other  sayings  of  Jesus  w'hich  demonstrate 
that  although   he  humbled  himself  to  become  man, 
yet  BEHIND  "THE  VEIL,   his  flesh,"   he  was 
"Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday,  and  to-day,  and 
forever."  Heb.  xiii.  8.     The  same  Almighty.  Rev. 
i.   8,  Isa.   ix.   6.     The   same  Maker.     John   i.    3. 
And  "  the  same  blessed  and  ONLY  POTENTATE. 
The   King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of  Lords."     1  Tim. 
vi.  15.     See  Rev.  xvii.  14.     We  have,  from  these 
holy  records,  proven,  that  JESUS,  THE  SON,  IS 
GOD,  and   that   "GOD"  SUFFERED  or   became 
PASSIBLE,  as  Saint  John  records.     "Hereby  per- 
ceive  we   the  love  of  GOD,  because  HE   LAID 
DOWN  HIS  LIFE  FOR  US."     1  John  iii.  16. 


80  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

Article  VIII. 

THE  MAN  CHRIST  JESUS  is  the  *'LORD  GOD 
OF  THE  HOLY  PROPHETS."     Rev.  xxii.  6. 

We  believe  with  Saint  Paul,  the  Apostle,  that 
"the  SECOND  MAN  IS  THE  LORD  FROM  HEA- 
VEN," 1  Cor.  XV.  47;  "And  the  last  Adam  was 
made  a  QUICKENING  SpiriV  1  Cor.  xv.  45,  47. 
In  the  following  record,  (Matt.  xix.  17,)  our  glo- 
rious Redeemer  declared  there  was  7io7ie  good  BUT 
ONE,  as  follows:  "Why  callest  thou  ME  GOOD? 
There  is  7io7ie  good  but  ONE,  that  IS  GOD."  This 
is  the  strongest  declaration  in  the  Scriptures  that 
JESUS  IS  GOD.  Because  no  man  except  an  infi- 
del or  atheist  can  say,  or  dare  say,  that  Jesus  is  not 
good,  and  perfectly  holy :  he  is,  therefore,  called  the 
"HOLY  ONE."  Actsii.27.  Now  as  Jesus  IS  "THE 
HOLY  ONE,"  as  Saint  Peter  says.  Acts  iii.  14,  and 
consequently  PERFECTLY  GOOD,  therefore  HE 
MUST  BE "^ GOD,  because  he  declares  "there  is 
NONE  GOOD  hut  GOD."  He,  therefore,  rebuked 
this  man,  for  he  had  7io  7ight  to  call  him  good,  unless 
he  believed  him  to  be  what  he  actually  was,  "  THE 
TRUE  GOD."  1  John  v.  xx.  We  believe  the  re- 
cord of  John  concerning  the  (eternal)  acts  of  Je- 
sus, LITERALLY,  Johu  xxi.  25,  hc  says,  "And  there 
are  also  many  other  things  which  Jesus  did,  the 
which,  if  they  should  be  written  every  one,  I  suppose 
that  even  the  WORLD  ITSELF  could  not  CON- 
TAIN THE  BOOKS  that  should  be  written.''  So 
we  believe:  because,  all  things  w^ere  "MADE  by 
him,  and  WITHOUT  HIM,  was  not  anything  7nade 
that  loas  made.'''  John  i.  3.  Therefore,  the  ETER- 
NAL ACTS  of  Jesus  would  fill  more  than  a  world 
of  books.     We    declare ,  it   as   our   belief  that   no 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.  81 

man  is  BORN  OF  GOD  or  REGENERATED,  who 
CANNOT,  with  his  WHOLE  HEART,  MIGHT, 
MIND,  AND  SOUL,  WORSHIP  JESUS  ALONE, 
as  his  LORD  AND  GOD,  "  and  ONLY  SAVIOUR," 
even  him  that  loved  us,  and  ^^  washed  us  from  our 
sins  in  his  own  blood.''^  Rev.  i.  5.  We  maintain 
that  ALL  PERSONS  shoiild  WORSHIP  JESUS  in  the 
same  manner  that  DYING  and  REJOICING  CHRIS- 
TIANS IN  THEIR  EXPIRING  MOMENTS  ALWAYS  WOR- 
SHIP HIM.  They  worship  Jesus  only.  And  we 
have  determined,  through  his  help,  thus  to  worship 
him  in  our  public  and  private  assemblies. 


Article  IX. 
The  "Image,"  "Person,"  or  "Likeness"  of  God. 

W^e  believe  "God,  the  Father,"  has  no  distinct 
"image"  or  "  likeness"  from  "God"  the  Son, 
even  Jesus,  the  "true  God."  (See  1  John  v.  20.) 
But  we  believe  there  is  BUT  ONE  IMAGE  or 
LIKENESS  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  that  is  the  ETERNAL  IM- 
AGE OF  THE  ETERNAL  SON,  which  is  the  ON- 
LY image  ihat  angels  or  men  ever  did  or  ever  can, 
LAWFULLY,  "BOW  DOWN  TO"  OR  WOR- 
SHIP. And  after  whose  image  and  likeness  man 
was  originally  made.     See  Genesis  i.  26. 

Because  the  Almighty  declared  to  Moses,  "I,  the 
Lord,  thy  God,  am  a  jealous  God,^^  Exodus  xx.  5; 
and  expressly  commands  the  Jews  to  worship  no  God 
but  himself ,  under  the  severest  penalties,  because  he 
was  "a  jealous  God.''''  It  is  recorded  of  JESUS, 
the  SON  of  the  Father,  that  the  APOSTLES  WOR- 
SHIPPED HIM,  Luke  xxiv.  52,  in  these  words, 
"AND  THEY  WORSHIPPED  HIM,  and  returned 


82  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

to  Jerusalem  with  great  joy.'^''  Also  see  Matthew 
ii.  11,  viii.  2,  ix.  18,  xv.  25,  xiv.  23,  xxviii.  9,  17, 
John  ix.  38.  In  all  these  passages,  our  Lord  re- 
ceived  Divine  worship  as  his  due.  He,  therefore, 
must  be  "the  Almighty."  Rev.  i.  8.  And  as (1(^= Je- 
sus HIMSELF  declared,  "  it  is  written  thou  shalt 
WORSHIP  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  HIM  ONLY  shalt 
THOU  SERVE."  Therefore,  as  JESUS  accepted  and 
approved  of  divine  worship  to  himself  as  HIS  DUE, 
he  must  be  the  ''Lord  God,''  and  ONLY  GOD. 
Therefore,  saith  the  Apostle,  Heb.  i.  6,  of  the  only 
begotten  Son,  "Let  all  the  angels  of  God  WOR- 
SHIP HIM."     Amen.     Hallelujah! 


Article  X. 

The  Mediation,  Atonement,  and  Intercession. 

We  believe  that  Jesus,  "the  true  God,"  and 
Eternal  Son  of  the  Father,  "BY  YLIM^FUF purged 
our  sins,''  as  the  Apostle  records,  Heb.  i.  3. 
Therefore,  JESUS  declares  through  the  Prophet 
Isaiah,  "I  have  trodden  the  wine-press  ALONE, 
and  there  was  none  to  help,  therefore  MINE  OWN 
ARM  brought  salvation  unto  me,  and  my  fury  it  up- 
held me."  Isa.  Lxiii.  1-5.  We,  therefore,  believe 
that  JESUS,  being  "THE  TRUE  GOD,"  had 9iowe 
to  help  or  sustai;i  him  when  he  died  on  the  cross, 
but  purchased  our  salvation  by  his  "  OWN  ARM," 
or,  as  Saint  Paul  declares,  "  God  purchased"  us 
"with  his  OWN  BLOOD."  Acts  xx.  28.  And 
we  believe  that  when  God  became  man  and  ''was 
made  flesh,"  he  "BY  HIMSELF"  MEDIATED 
between  man  and  the  penalty  of  temporal  and  eter- 
nal DEATH,  consequent  on  the  law  broken  by  Adam 
in  the  garden  of  Eden.     He  mediated  by  himself ^ 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.  83 

exactly  as  when  he  **  hy  himself '^'^  purchased  our 
salvation  on  the  cross.  This  law,  commandment, 
and  penalty,  was  as  follows,  "And  the  Lord  God 
took  the  man,  and  put  him  into  the  garden  of  Eden, 
to  dress  and  to  keep  it.  And  the  Lord  God  coin- 
manded  the  man,  saying,  of  evei'y  tree  of  the  garden 
thou  mayest  freely  eat,  but  of  the  tree  of  the  know- 
ledge OF  GOOD  AND  EVIL,  thou  shalt  not 
eat  of  it.  For  in  the  day  that  thou  eatest  thereof, 
THOU  SHALT  SURELY  DIE."  Gen.  ii.  16,  17. 
This  is  the  LAW  and  its  PENALTY  OF  CERTAIN 
DEATH,  to  be  awarded  the  very  day  that  Adam 
should  transgress.  Adam  did  eat  the  forbidden 
fruit,  but  lived  several  hundred  years  afterward,  by 
which  we  are  instructed,  that  it  was  a  SPIRITUAL 
DEATH  that  Adam  died,  "in  the  day"  he  did 
EAT.  The  Lord  God,  for  this  transgression,  drove 
him  out  of  Paradise  and  the  Garden  of  Eden,  and 
subjected  him  to  the  GENERAL  CURSE  mentioned 
Gen.  iii.  14  to  19,  and  placed  a  barrier  between 
him  (Adam)  and  his  j)osterity,  so  that  he  could  no 
more  partake  of  the  spiritual  enjoyments  of  God,  the 
TREE  OF  LIFE.  Scc  Gcu.  iii.  22,  23,  24th  verses. 
Therefore,  saith  the  Apostle,  as  IN  ADAM  ALL 
DIE,  so  in  Christ  shall  all  be  made  alive.  1  Cor. 
XV.  22.  That  is,  all  that  are  regenerated  or  horn 
again,  are  IN  Christ,  and  are  new  creatures.  2  Cor. 
V.  17.  It  was  this  spiritual  death  to  the  soul  of 
man,  that  Jesus,  the  Eternal  Son,  "  came  down 
from  heaven"  to  redeem  us  from.  He  made  and 
created  Adam,  John  i.  3,  Eph.  iii.  9,  and  gave  him 
the  law^,  and  has  finally  come  down  from  heaven, 
and  become  man,  and  suffered  and  died  on  Mount 
Calvary,  to  redeem  us  from  the  penalty,  curse,  and 
spiritual  death  of  Adam  and  his  posterity.  As  Jesus 
declared,   "I  AM  THE  RESURRECTION  AND 


84  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND  DOCTRINE. 

THE  LIFE."  John  xi.  25.  Again,  "I  IN  THEM 
and  thou  in  ??ie."  John  xvii.  23.  Again,  '^  we  will 
come  unto  him  and  make  our  ABODE  with  him." 
John  xiv.  23.  Therefore,  we  maintain  that  *'GOD" 
"  WAS  MADE  FLESH,"  as  the  Apostle  testifies, 
and  became  man,  "and  dwelt  among  us."  John  i. 
1-14.  And  thus  "  IMMANUEL,"  or  "GOD  WITH 
US,"  see  Matt.  i.  23,  MEDIATED  IN  ''HIS 
FLESH,  THE  VEIL,"  Heb.  x.  20,  by  his  IMME- 
DIATE PRESENCE,  between  man  and  his  justice, 
in  awarding  unto  man  the  penalty  of  death  and  eter- 
nal wrath,  because  he  wilfully  broke  the  divine 
commandment  in  the  Garden  of  Eden.  And  after 
JESUS,  "THE  TRUE  GOD,"  had  thus  fulfilled 
'^  all  that  had  been  written  concerning  hi?n,^^  by  the 
prophets,  he  finally  "offered  up  himself"  on  the 
cross  on  Calvary.  Heb.  vii.  27.  And  as  Saint 
Paul  in  the  Holy  Ghost  testifies,  "GOD  PUR- 
CHASED us  WITH  HIS  OWN  BLOOD."  Acts  xx. 
28.  Being  a  propitiatory  sacrifice,  and  atonement 
for  the  sins  of  all  those  who  should  BELIEVE  on 
his  name.  John  i.  12,  Mark  xvi.  16.  Therefore  he 
is  called,  "THE  Lord,  OUR  RIGHTEOUSNESS." 
And  he  "ever  maketh  intercession  for  us."  Heb. 
vii.  25,  Rom.  8.  26.  And  is  our  "  advocate  with  the 
Father."  1  John  ii.  1.  He  "  is  able  to  succour  us," 
and  to  plead  our  cause,  having  himself  suflfered,  and 
"felt  our  infirmities  and  temptations."  And  we 
believe  as  a  church,  without  the  shadow  of  a  doubt, 
that  this  INTERCESSION  and  ADVOCACY,  is  not 
performed,  or  done  externally,  or  outside  of  the  souls 
of  men,  in  a  heaven  afar  off,  and  before  a  throne 
AFAR  OFF,  as  is  taught  by  many  Theologians, 
and  believed  by  numerous  professors.  But  we  be- 
lieve the  intercession  is  carried  on  WITHIN  THE 
SOULS  of  men.     And,  that  the  right  hand  of  God 


ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND  DOCTRINE.  85 

is  therein  manifest,  when  a  soul  is  enlightened,  or 
convicted  by  the  POWER  of  God :  Which  power 
IS  God^s  right  hand.  Therefore,  David  in  the 
Psalms,  in  numerous  instances,  speaks  of  God's 
^^  right  hand  as  God's"  power,  and  strength,  and 
"  righteousness."  "Thou. hast  given  me,  (saith  he,) 
the  shield  of  thy  salvation,  and  thy  RIGHT  HAND 
HATH  HOLDEN  ME  UP."  Psal.  xviii.  35."  He 
saith,  "  The  right  hand  of  the  Lord  is  exalted,''''  Psal. 
cxviii.  16 ;  which  is  his  power.  Accordingly  the 
Lord  saith,  through  the  prophet:  "MY  RIGHT 
HAND  hath  SPANNED  THE  HEAVENS!"  Isa. 
xLviii.  13.  That  is,  7ny  power  hath  spanned  the 
heavens.  As  the  Lord  Jesus  declares,  "Hereafter 
shall  the  Son  of  Man  sit  on  the  right  hand  of  THE 
POWDER  OF  GOD."  Luke  xxii.  69;  see  Matt, 
xxvi.  64,  Mark  xiv.  62.  Therefore,  the  words  of 
Saint  Paul,  "Christ  sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of 
God,"  are  a  figure  of  His  omnipotence,  and  of  his 
power.  Jesus  Christ  does  not  sav  "  the  Son  of  Man 
will  sit  on  the  right  hand  of  the  (PERSON)  of  God," 
but  "on  the  right  hand  of  the  POWER  of  God." 
Therefore,  Christ  is  emphatically  called  "  THE 
POWER  of  God''  ITSELF!  1  Cor.  i.  24;  Matt, 
xxviii.  18.  It  is  manifest  from  the  following  Scrip- 
tures, that  it  is  sinful  to  give  Jesus,  "the  LORD 
GOD  of  the  Holy  Prophets''  (see  Rev.  xxii.  6),  lo- 
cality, because  he  condescended  to  be  "  made  flesh." 
Or  to  assign  him  any  place  as  an  intercessor,  "For 
thus  saith  THE  LORD,  the  Heaven  is  my  throne,  and 
the  earth  is  my  footstool."  Isa.  Lxvi.  1.  "Be- 
hold !  the  heaven,  and  the  heaven  of  heavens,  CAN- 
NOT CONTAIN  THEE"  (saith  David).  1  Kings 
viii.  27.  "Can  any  hide  himself  in  secret  places, 
that  I  shall  not  see  him,  saith  the  Lord?"  "Do  not 
I  FILL  heaven,  and  earth,  saith  the  Lord?"  Jer. 
8 


86  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

xxiii.  24.  Those  declarations  we  believe,  as  a 
church.  And  that  Jesus,  and  the  "Father,  ARE 
ONE"  Image.  John  x.  30:  And  are  inseparably 
omnipresent.  And  are  personally  present,  with  every 
penitent  mourner,  for  peace  and  salvation ;  and 
personally  strive  with  the,  souls  of  men.  And  we 
believe  that  Jesus  is  the  very  comforter  himself, 
"for  tfie  Lord  is  that  spirit,"  see  2  Cor.  iii.  17.  And 
"  maketh  intercession"  in  our  souls,  (saith  Paul,  Rom. 
viii.  26 ;)  and  places  himself  between  the  soul  and  the 
wrath  of  God,  and  the  powers  of  Satan,  and  clothes 
us  with  his  Love,  Light,  and  Righteousness,  and  so 
he  becomes  "our  HELP  and  our  SHIELD,"  saith 
David,  Psal.  xxxiii.  20.  And  thus  ^'- intercedes,"*^ 
or,  more  plainly  to  speak,  STANDS  BETWEEN  the 
divine  penalty  of  eternal  "  death,'*''  and  our  souls. 
And  thus  "  covers  our  iniquities"  with  his  righteous- 
ness. This  intercession  continues  until  the  soul  is 
delivered,  by  the  NEW  BIRTH,  and  becomes  a 
child  of  God,  and  is  RELEASED  from  the  penalty, 
wrath,  and  curse,  entailed  upon  all  men,  by  Adam's 
transgression.  This  new  birth  of  the  soul  of  the 
penitent  mourner,  is  AN  IMMEDIATE  ACT,  by 
the  power  of  Jesus.  He  is  SET  FREE  from  the 
bondage  of  Satan,  and  becomes  "BORN  AGAIN;" 
and  is  translated  "into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the 
children  of  God."  Rom.  viii.  21.  And  this  IS  a 
glorious  liberty.  For,  saith  Jesus,  "IF  THE  SON 
therefore  make  you  free,  ye  SHALL  BE  FREE  IN 
DEED!"  John  viii.  36.  In  Isaiah,  53d  chapter 
and  12th  verse,  we  read,  "And  Ae  was  numbered 
among  the  transgressors,  and  he  bore  the  sin  of 
many,  and  MADE  INTERCESSION  for  the  trans- 
gressors y  So  that  the  intercession  of  Jesus,  is  re- 
presented by  the  prophet  as  extending  retrospect- 
ively, or  backward,  as  well  as  forwcird.     As  Saint 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.  87 

Paul  testifies,  "  Now  is  Christ  risen  from  the  dead, 
and  become  the  first  fruits  of  them  that  slept."  1 
Cor.  XV.  20.  As  it  is  written,  "And  the  graves 
were  opened,  and  many  bodies  of  the  saints 
WHICH  SLEPT,  arose  and  came  out  of  the  graves 
after  his  resurrection."  See  Matt,  xxvii.  52,  53. 
So  that  the  INTERCESSION  of  the  Son  of  God  is 
by  the  IMMEDIATE  presence  of  himself,  on,  and  in 
the  souls  of  men,  by  which  he  becomes  our  resur- 
rection and  our  life.  And  "  adopts"  us  as  sons,  Rom. 
viii.  15,  and  makes  us  heirs  of  salvation  and  of  glory, 
Rom.  viii.  16,  17,  sealing  us  with  the  holy  spirit 
of  promise,  Eph.  i.  13.  And  makes  his  ABODE 
with  us,  being  "  hy  himself, '^^  the  very  Father,  Isa. 
ix.  6,  the  Son,  1  John  ii.  23,  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
2  Cor.  iii.  17,  personally  manifest  IN  US,  even  the 
"  true  God,  and  eternal  life,"  1  John  v.  20.  There- 
fore the  true  children  of  God,  have  Jesus  the  AD- 
VOCATE and  INTERCESSOR,  and  the  FATHER, 
personally  dwelling  within  them;  as  our  glorious 
Advocate  declared:  "If  a  man  love  me,  he  will 
keep  my  words,  and  my  Father  will  love  him,  AND 
WE  WILL  COME  UNTO  HIM,  AND  MAKE 
OUR  ABODE  WITH  HIM."  John  xiv.  23.  And 
thus  Jesus  sets  up  his  kingdom  within  us,  as  he 
declares,  "For  behold!  the  Kingdom  of  God  is 
WITHIN  you."     Luke  xvii.  21.     Glory  be  to  Jesus! 


Article  XL 

ON  THE  PRE-EXISTENCE  OF  THE  SOUL  OF 
CHRIST. 

We  believe  the  following  declaration,  of  the  Lord 
Jehovah,  (HE,  who  called  himself  "  the  First,  and 


88  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

the  Last,^''  and  declared  ^'besides  me  there  is  no 
God,")  is  a  positive  demonstration,  that  his  soul,  the 
soul  of  Jesus  Christ,  pre-existed,  or  existed  before  he 
"  was  made  flesh  and  dwelt  among  us."  His  words 
are,  "  Behold  my  servant  whom  /  uphold,  mine  elect, 
in  whom  MY  SOUL  delighteth,"  Isa.  XLii.  1.  In 
this  clause,  Jehovah  positively  declares,  that  {Jt^=HIS 
SOUL  would  delight  in  His  "Servant,''  in  THAT 
MAN  who  was  "-for  a  covenant  of  the''  "  People,  for 
a  light  to  enlighten  the  Gentiles."  See  the  same 
Chapter,  verse  6.  Which  servant.  Saint  Paul  thus 
describes.  "  Let  this  mind  be  in  you  which  was 
also  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  being  in  the  FORM  OF 
GOD,  thought  it  not  robbery  to  be  EQUAL  WITH 
GOD,  but  made  himself  of  no  reputation,  and  took 
upon  him  the  FORM  OF  A  SERVANT,  and  was 
made  in  the  likeness  of  MEN."  Phil.  ii.  5,  6,  7. 
The  Apostle  in  these  texts  describes  Jesus  as  having 
taken  "the  FORM  OF  A  SERVANT."  This 
agrees  with  the  Prophet,  "Behold  my  servant,"  and 
is  in  accordance  with  the  doctrines  of  this  Church, 
that  "  Jehovah  ;"  see  Isa.  xii.  2.  "  The  First  and  the 
Last,"  Isa.  xLiv.  6.  Even  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ; 
see  Rev.  i.  17,  18,  xxii.  13,  16,  became  man,  and 
was  "made  flesh."  John  i.  14.  And  thus  in  the 
"FORM  of  a  servant,"  in  the  likeness  of  men, 
"Immanuel,"  "God  with  us."  Matt.  i.  23.  Me- 
diated between  man  and  the  righteousness,  and 
justice,  of  the  penalty  of  Eternal  death,  entailed 
upon  all  the  human  race.  Rom.  v.  12.  And  re- 
united us  unto  himself,  by  the  Blood  of  his  cross. 
For,  saith  the  Apostle,  we  are  all  by  JSTature  chil- 
dren of  wrath,  even  as  others.  Eph.  ii.  3.  And 
as  we  have  clearly  demonstrated,  in  Article  4th  (in 
these  series),  that  there  is  no  other  being  besides 
Jesus  of  Nazareth,  who  can  claim  the  title,  or  pre- 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.  89 

rogative,  of  being  "  the  First,  and  the  Last."    So 
it  is  equally  clear ,  that  the  SOUL  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
PRE-EXISTED,  or  existed  WITH  HIM  before  he 
''came  down  from  heaven."     BECAUSE  the  same 
being,  who  says  to  Isaiah,  ^'Behold  my  Servant,'^'* 
"  in  whom  MY  SOUL  delighteth.'"     ALSO  declares 
himself  to  BE  "the  First  and  the  Last,"  to  the  same 
prophet.     And   as  "the  First,  and  the  Last,"  IS 
JESUS:  For  he  declares  to  Saint  John  in  the  Reve- 
lations, "I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and 
the  end,  the  FIRST  AND  THE  LAST"— Therefore, 
it  must  have  been  Jesus,  who  said  to  the  prophet, 
^^  Behold  my  Servant,  in  whom  my  SOUL  delight- 
eth.'^^    See  Revelations,  xxii.  13, 16  ;  Rev.  i.  17,  18, 
and  2d,  8th.    And  the  following  texts  in  the  book  of 
Isaiah.     "Who  hath  wrought  it,"  calling  the  gene- 
rations from  the  "  beginning,  I  the  Lord,  the  First 
and   with   the   Last,    I   AM    HE."     Is  a.    xlI.    4. 
(Again,)  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  the  King  of  Israel, 
and  HIS  REDEEMER,  the  Lord  of  hosts,     i^l 
am  the  First,  and  I  am  the  Last,  and  BESIDES 
ME,  THERE  IS  NO  GOD."    Isa.  xlIv.  6.    Again, 
"  Hearken  unto  me,  0  Jacob,  and  Israel  my  called, 
{jr^I  AM  HE !   I  am  the  First,  I  also  am  the  Last, 
Mine  hand  ALSO  hath  laid  the  foundation  of  the 
earth."    Isa.  XLviii.  12,  13.    And  when  the  DIVINE 
NATURE,  EVEN  THE  ETERNAL  "IMAGE," 
AND  BODY  OF  GOD  "WAS  MADE  FLESH," 
and   became  man,  "God,"  the  Eternal  Son,  took 
upon  himself  the  "  Form  of  a  Servant, ^''  as  he  ap- 
peared at  Jerusalem,  and  was  called  Jesus,  w^hich 
is  the  "NEW  NAME"  of  God,  and  amongst  other 
acts  of  humiliation,  even  washed  his  disciples'  feet. 
John  xiii.  4,  5.     And  yet,   he  was  ^^  Immanuel,''^ 
"  God  with  us.^"^    Matt.  i.  23.    And  it  is  in  this  pre- 
8* 


90  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

existence  of  the  Divine  nature,  and  '^  SouV  of  Christ 
Jesus,  that  we  see  the  meaning  of  the  Apostle  Peter. 
2  Peter  i.  4.  "Whereby  (saith  he),  are  given  unto 
us  exceeding  great,  and  precious  promises,  that  hy 
these,  ye  might  be  PARTAKERS  OF  THE  DIVINE 
NATIJRE."  And  according  to  Saint  Paul,  eveii 
that  "  our  vile  bodies  shall  be  fashioned  like  unto 
HIS  GLORIOUS  BODY!"     Phil.  iii.  21. 


Article  XII. 

THE  REIGN  OF  JESUS  THE  SON  IS  ETER- 
NAL.    "And  will  have  no  end." 

We  believe  the  Kingdom,  Dominion,  Government 
and  REIGN  OF  JESUS  the  Eternal  Son,  is  over  all 
things,  "AND  WILL  HAVE  NO  END."  See 
Saint  Luke  i.  33.     Rev.  xi.  15.     Dan.  vii.  14. 

And  as  "ALL  THINGS  were  created  by  him  and 
for  him.'"  John  i.  3.  Col.  i.  16.  And  he  "IS 
THE  Blessed  and  only  Potentate."  1  Tim.  vi. 
15.  So  there  is  no  one  to  whom  he  could  give  up 
his  Kingdom,  or  Dominion,  or  be  SUBJECT  TO. 
He  being,  according  to  the  same  Apostle,  "THE 
HEIR  OF  ALL  THINGS."     Heb.  i.  2. 

And  as  the  Apostle  Paul  positively  declares,  that 
Jesus  is  the  "  only  potentate,"  1  Tim.  vi.  15. 
"And  the  same  yesterday,  ?ind  to-day,  and /ore?;er." 
Heb.  xiii.  8.  "  And  heir  of  all  things.'^''  And  as 
he  could  not  give  the  lie  to  his  own  doctrines,  for 
he  says  that  Jesus  IS  God,  (see  Rom.  ix.  5,)  we 
leave  the  clause,  1  Cor.  xv.  24  to  28,  (where  he  says, 
that  the  Son  will  deliver  ''up  the  kingdom  to  God, 
even  the  Father.")  We  leave,  (we  say,)  this  clause 
stand,  as  incomprehensible  to  us,  in  connection  w^ith 
other  Scriptures.     Moreover,  a  literal  interpretation 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.  91 

would  directly  oppose,  and  utterly  confuse,  numerous 
Scriptures  in  the  Prophets,  the  Gospels,  and  in  Saint 
Paul's  own  Epistles^  and  make  him  AT  VARIANCE 
WITH  HIMSELF  in  the  passages  we  have  just 
quoted,  and  in  many  others.  Saint  Paul,  quoting 
Psalm  XLV.  6,  7,  thus  testifies  of  Jesus.  "But  unto 
the  Son  he  saith,  THY  THRONE,  0  GOD,  IS  FOR- 
EVER AND  EVER."  Heb.  i.  8.  Therefore,  the 
Apostle  could  not  literally  mean,  that  the  Son  would 
deliver  up  his  eternal  sovereignty.  Because  he  is 
*'the  (very)  Father  also."  John  xiv.  7.  And  he  is 
called  Wonderful,  Counsellor,  the  MIGHTY  GOD. 
{$rf=THE  EVERLASTING  FATHER,^  the  Prince 
of  Peace,  by  the  Prophet  Isaiah.  See  Isa.  ix.  6. 
And  besides  him,  the  FIRST  AND  THE  LAST, 
saith  Isaiah,  there  IS  NO  GOD.  See  Isa.  xmv.  6. 
And  for  this  reason  he  cannot,  according  to  his 
own  eternal  oneness,  and  decrees,  give  up  his  king- 
dom, or  dominion,  or  be  SUBJECT  to  any  one. 
This  is  the  belief  of  this  Church,  and  we  suffer  none 
to  come,  or  remain  amongst  us,  as  members,  who 
deny  this  truth.     Glory  be  to  Jesus! 

Article  XIII. 

ON  THE  RESURRECTION,  and  Creaturely 
Devils. 

We  believe  in  the  general  Resurrection  at  the 
"  last  dayy  And  a  final  and  eternal  separation  of 
X\ie  just  from  the  unjust.  When  the  just,  or  right- 
eous, will  go  *'into  life  eternal,'^''  "and  inherit  the 
KINGDOM  prepared  for  them  from  the  FOUNDA- 
TION OF  THE  W^ORLD."  But  the  wicked,  or 
^'^  cursed, '^'^  shall  be  consigned  to  the  regions  of  woe 
and  torment,  even  to  "  everlasting  fire,  prepared  for 


92  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

the  Devil  and  his  (fallen)  angels ;^^  Matt.  xxv.  32, 
33,  34,  41 :  Where  their  worm  dieth  not,  and' 
the  FIRE  IS  not  quenched.  (Mark  ix.  43  to  48.) 
We  believe  the  punishment  is  therefore  eternal^  be- 
cause the  "WORM  DIETH  NOT"  in  the  soul, 
"  and  the  FIRE  IS  NOT  QUENCHED"  that  kindles 
the  torment. 

And  we  believe  the  ''Devil  and  his  angels^^  are 
creatures,  having  creaturely  forms ,  and  shape.  See 
Job  i.  6  to  12,  ii.  1  to  7.  Psa.  cix.  6.  Zach.  iii. 
1,  2.  In  the  Revelations  he  is  thus  described  : 
"And  the  great  dragon  was  cast  out,  that  old 
SERPENT,"  "called  THE  DEVIL,  and  Satan  which 
deceiveth  the  whole  world  ;^''  he  was  cast  out  into  the 
earth,  and  ''his  angels  were  cast  out  with  him.'^^ 
Rev.  xii.  9.  From  which  we  believe,  the  Devil,  or 
Satan,  who,  under  the  figurative  language  of  a 
"  serpent, '^'^  beguiled  Eve,  was  once  an  angel  of 
light:  but  now  fallen.  See  Isa.  xiv.  12..  Luke 
X.  18.  Jude  vi.  And  it  is  him  whom  our  Saviour 
calls  "the  prince  of  this  world.''''  John  xiv.  30. 
Verily,  we  are  in  a  sad  region.  And  according  to 
the  Scriptures,  the  unregenerated,  and  unawakened 
people  of  this  world,  ARE  ALL  under  his  dominion, 
as  he  rules  in  their  hearts.  As  saith  the  Apostle 
John,  "  We  know  we  are  of  God  and  the  WHOLE 
WORLD  lieth  in  wickedness. ^"^  1  John  v.  19.  And 
saith  Saint  Peter,  1  Pet.  v.  8,  "your  adversary  the 
devil,  as  a  roaring  lion^^  w^alketh  about.  Therefore, 
Jesus  commands  us  to  "  Watch  and  pray  lest  ye  enter 
into  temptatio7i.^^     Matt.  xxvi.  41. 

And  to  the  DEVIL  or  SATAN,  this  church  as- 
cribes ALL  THE  EVIL  IN  THIS  WORLD: 
Whether  it  be  mental  or  actual  sins,  or  corporal  suf- 
ferings. See  Job  ii.  1  to  7.  Mark  i.  23  to  27.  Luke 
ix.  39  to  42.     (1#-Luke  xlii.  11  to  \Q.     (i#-Mark 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.  93 

ix.  17  to  26.  (Ir^Matt.  ix.  32,  xii.  22,  and  other 
scriptures.  The  devil,  we  believe,  is  the  immediate 
cause  of  all  diseases  of  body  and  mind:  through 
his  corrupt  influences,  and  through  his  messengers, 
(2  Cor.  xii.  7,  Acts  v.  16,)  the  "fallen"  crea- 
turely  devils,  ((^Mark  i.  34,  Luke  viii.  27  to  38, 
who  operate  through  the  fallen  nature  of  man,  or 
immediately  on  his  heart.  Acts  v.  3.  For  this 
reason  the  same  ^^ prayer  of  faitW  which  heals  the 
soul,  cures  the  sick.  We  therefore,  earnestly  recom- 
mend the  afflicted  in  body,  to  obey  the  injunctions  of 
Saint  James,  and  send  for  a  brother  or  sister  who  has 
faith,  to  pray  for  them.  "And  the  prayer  of  faith 
shall  save  the  sick,  (saith  Saint  James,)  and  the 
Lord  shall  raise  him  up,  and  if  he  have  committed 
sins,  they  also  shdll  ht  forgiven  him. ^^  See  James 
V.  14,  15. 

Article  XIV. 
ON  GOD'S  FOREKNOWLEDGE  OR  DE- 
CREES. 

W^e  believe  Jesus  "the  true  Gob,^^  foreknows, 
and  \\^s  foreordained  all  things.  As  the  Apostles  said 
to  Jesus,  "  JS^ow  we  are  SURE  that  thou  KNOWEST 
ALL  THINGS,"  John  xvi.  30.  So  as  Jesus  knoweth 
"  all  things, ^"^  we  have  no  right  to  question  the  wis- 
dom of  his  decrees.  For  he  declares,  "  My  counsel 
shall  STAND,  and  I  WILL  DO  ALL  MY  PLEA- 
SURE," Isa.  xLvi.  9,  10;  this  is  conclusive.  (See 
Chapter  on  Predestination.     Part  4th.) 

Article  XV. 

"  WITH  GOD  ALL  THINGS  ARE  POSSIBLE." 

This  is  the  declaration  of  Jesus  himself.  It  was 
therefore  POSSIBLE  for  "GOD"  (John  i.  1)  to  be 


94  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

<«MADE  FLESH,"  John  i.  14.  And  become  a 
TRUE  AND  VERY  MAN,  by  ASSLMILATION, 

and  by  a  'perfect  identity  with  our  nature^  in  the 
Holy  Person  of  Jesus.  And  it  was  also  ''  POSSI- 
BLE to  subdue  the  whole  Man  unto  himself'^''  as 
Saint  Paul  declares,  Phil.  iii.  21.  And  into  the 
divine  nature,  INTO  the  GLORY  which  he  HAD 
with  the  Father  BEFORE  THE  WORLD  WAS, 
John  xvii.  5.  We  therefore  allow  none  of  our 
members  to  say,  God  cannot  do  this,  or  cannot  do 
that,  as  some  express  themselves. 

Article  XVI. 

ON  JUSTIFICATION,  and  the  NEW  BIRTH. 

We  believe  we  are  justified  BY  FAITH  without 
works.  Rom.  iii.  27,  28,  see  John  vi.  28,  29. 
Nevertheless,  justification,  or  pardon  from  sin,  is  not 
regeneration,  or  the  new  birth.  Those  who  are  jus- 
tified, may  ^^  sin  unto  death^^  and  be  eternally  lost, 
see  Heb.  vi.  4,  6.  But,  a  person  who  is  "convert- 
ed," or  "translated,"  or  regenerated,  or  *' Born 
again,"  or  "  Born  of  God,"  "  cannot  sin  unto 
death."  Saint  John  declares,  "  Whosoever  is  BORN 
OF  GOD,  doth  not  commit  sin  ;  for  his  seed  remain- 
eth  in  him,  and  he  CANNOT  SIN,  because  he  IS 
born  of  God^  And,  therefore,  to  be  Born  of  God 
IS  all-sufficient  to  preserve  the  SOUL  from  sin.  See 
1  John  iii.  9.  "  And  if  any  man"  who  "  is  Born  of 
God —  sin  a  sin  which  is  not  unto  death — we  have 
an  Advocate  with  the  Father."  And  HE  declares 
we  "  SHALL  NEVER  PERISH."  John  x.  28. 
Glory  be  to  Jesus!  WE  believe,  that  good  works 
always  follow  regeneration,.  «.?  its  fruit:  Yet  as 
OUTWARD  good  works  may  be  morally  performed 
WITHOUT   regeneration,   they  are   no   LIVING 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.  95 

evidence  of  the  new  birth.  This  living  evidence  can 
only  be  known  by  the  ''TESTIMONY  of  "the 
spirit  of  truth,^^  John  xv.  26,  which  is  always 
FELT  by  the  children  of  Jesus,  ON,  and  IN  them- 
selves. The  regenerated  soul  can  always  rejoice  in 
the  power  of  this  testimony  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
declare  the  NAME  JESUS,  with  SHOUTS  OF 
PRAISE!  We  believe  a  person  may  become  regene- 
rated in  his  YOUTH,  and  live  until  OLD  AGE,  in 
''  the  Blessing.^'^  And  such  can  testify  with  Saint 
Paul,  "  That  neither  deaths  nor  Ufe^  nor  angels,  nor 
principalities,  nor  powers,  nor  things  present^  nor 
things  to  come;  nor,  height,  nor  depth,  NOR  ANY 
OTHER  CREATURE,  shall  be  able  to  SEPA- 
RATE US  from  the  love  of  God,  which  IS  IN 
CHRIST  JESUS,  our  Lord."  See  Rom.  viii.  38, 
39.  And  we  say  to  «//,  with  Saint  Peter,  "  make 
your  calling  and  election  SURE — and  ye  shall 
NEVER  FALL."  2  Pet.  i.  10.  We  believe  the 
man  who  douhts  these  truths,  is  A  SERVANT 
ONLY,  and  NOT  A  SON.  See  Gal.  iv.  7.  We 
believe  the  loork  to  regeneration  may  be  progres- 
sive^ but  the  ACT  of  regeneration,  is  an  INSTAN- 
TANEOUS ACT  of  God's  mercy,  see  Acts  xi.  15  : 
For  there  can  be  no  medium  between  ''  death"^"^  and 
^'-lifey  And  therefore  the  soul  "passes  from 
death  unto  life,"  and  "  is  translated  into"  "  the 
kingdom  of  God''  AT  ONCE  :  see  Col.  i.  13,  which 
kingdom  Jesus  declares  "  is  WITHIN"  US.  See 
Luke  xvii.  21.  We  admit  none  to  membership 
who  deny  these  doctrines. 

Article  XVII. 
ON  WATER  BAPTISM. 
We  hold  that  water  baptism  may  be  administered 
in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 


96  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

the  Holy  Ghost,  which  NAME  is  JESUS,  but  by 
sprinkling  only,  as  this  sprinkling  agrees  with  the 
Scriptures,  and  the  spiritual  experience  of  the  chil- 
dren of  God:  see  Numbers  viii.  7,  Isa.  Lii.  15, 
Eze.  xxxvi.  25,  1  Pet.  i.  2.  Yet  we  reject  the 
doctrines  of  the  Church  of  Rome  and  other  churches, 
who  make  this  outward  water  baptism  essential,  or 
in  any  way  binding.  Because,  according  to  the 
testimony  of  John  the  Baptist  himself,  outward 
water  baptism  '^must  decrease,"  which  was  (to  re- 
pentance only).  Matt.  iii.  11.  And  be  superseded 
by  THE  ONE  ONLY  SAVING  BAPTISM  ''  OF 
THE  HOLY  GHOST  AND  WITH  FIRE,"  see 
John's  testimony,  John  i.  33.  We  do  not  hold  to 
the  administration  of  water  baptism  as  an  ordinance. 
Because  all  ordinances  were  blotted  out  and  "nailed 
to  the  cross,"  Col.  ii.  14.  But  if  any  of  our  mem- 
bers cannot  feel  released,  we  permit  it,  or  use  it  by 
permission  only. 

The  Apostles  always  baptized  "  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord  Jesus"  only,  see  Acts  ii.  38,  viii.  16,  x. 
48,  xix.  5.  We  therefore  say,  when  we  baptize, 
"I  baptize  thee  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of 
the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,"  which  NAME  IS 
JESUS."  Amen.  For  JJESUSis  thename  of  eac/^and 
every  person  in  the  Trinity.  He,  is  the  name  of  the 
Father,  Isa.  ix.  6,  John  xiv.  7,  8,  9.  And  of  the 
Son,  Matt.  i.  21—23.  And  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  2 
Cor.  iii.  17,  1  Cor.  xv.  45.  Therefore,  when  the 
Apostles  baptized  "in  the  name  of  JESUS,"  they 
baptized  in  the  name  of  the  whole  Trinity. 

We  preserve,  however,  the  usual  form  in  part, 
because  it  keeps  alive  the  doctrine  of  the  Holy 
Trinity  of  persons  IN  JESUS,  who  is  himself ^  the 
SECOND  PERSON  thereof,  even  the  Eternal  and 
"ONLY  begotten  SON." 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.  97 


Article  XVIII. 

The  Protestant,  and  Roman  Catholic  Sacra- 
ments, OF  bread  and  wine,  not  applicable  to 
the  Regenerated  Children  of  God. 

We  believe  every  "  servant"  of  Jesus  Christ  who 
is  a  servant  only^  and  not  a  son,  by  the  new  birth, 
see  Gal.  iv.  6,  7,  may  take  the  outward  elements 
of  bread  and  wine.  But  we  maintain,  that,  as  every 
member  of  this  church  professes  to  be  a  regene- 
rated, and  an  adopted  son  of  God,  Rom.  viii.  14,  15, 
he  has  consequently,  the  Lord  Jesus  ALREADY 
INDWELLING  IN  HIS  SOUL,  John  xiv.  23, 
and  xiv.  17.  And  therefore  cannot  conscientiously 
partake  of  the  type,  when  he  has  the  substance 
within  him.  We  have  determined,  as  a  church,  to 
"Stand  fast"  (as  the  Apostle  exhorts  us)  "in  the 
LIBERTY  wherewith  Christ  has  made  US  FREE, 
and  be  not  again  entangled  in  the  yoke  of  bond- 
age," Gal.  V.  1. 

All  who  partake  of,  the  outward  sacrament  of 
bread  and  wine,  "do^how  the  Lord's  death  till  he 
come^"^  1  Cor.  xi.  26,  unto  them,  in  power  also. 

When  Jesus  gave  the  mission  to  his  disciples, 
recorded  in  the  tenth  chapter  of  Matthew's  Gospel, 
he  immediately  declares,  that  "the  kingdom  of 
heaven  is  AT  HAND,"  and  continues  in  these 
words,  "  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  ye  shall  not  have 
gone  over  the  cities  of  Israel  TILL  THE  SON 
OF  MAN  BE  COME,"  Matt.  x.  1,  7,  23,— which 
was  verified  on  the  day  of  Pentecost  in  the  gift  of 
the  Holy  Ghost.  Therefore,  AS  HE  HAS  COME,  • 
in  power  and  great  glory,  to  all  those  who  are 
"BORN  AGAIN,"  so  they  cannot  partake  of  the 
types,  for  by  so  doing,  they  would  actually  declare 
9 


98  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

that  the  Lord  has  not  come  unto  them :  Whereas  such 
have  Christ  Jesus,  "the  living  bread"  *'  of  heaven," 
(see  John  vi.  33  to  52),  abiding  "  forever"  with- 
in them,  John  xiv.  23;  see  "Invitation  and  Ad- 
dress," chap.  IX,  4th  to  10th  paragraphs. 

Article  XIX, 

ON  THE  SPIRITUAL  COMMUNION  OF 
JESUS  IN  THE  SOUL. 

"We  believe  in  a  spiritual  breaking  of^'-  The  living 
bread  which  came  down  from  heaven,'^'*  John  vi.  51. 
Which  is  a  holy  communion  of  Jesus  in  the  soul. 
And  that  we  can  HEAR  HIS  VOLCE  immediately, 
really,  and  substantially  in  the  soul.  John  x.  16,  27. 

And  can  receive  COUNSEL  OF  HIM,  Isa.  ix. 
6,  Psa.  Lxxiii.  24,  25,  26,  John  xiv.  26,  xv.  26,  27, 
so  as  to  regulate,  BY  THAT  COUNSEL,  all  the 
affairs  of  life,  which  is  living  "  by  every  word  that 
proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Lord. '^^  Deu.  viii.  3. 

This  was  professed  by  the  original  Quakers,  and 
others.  And  this  COUNS^IL  is  the  GIFT  OF 
WISDOM.  The  prophet  David  declares,  "Thou 
Shalt  GUIDE  ME  BY  THY  COUNSEL,"  "and 
afterward  receive  me  to  glory, '^'^  Psa.  Lxxiii.  24, 
This  is  an  "  operation'*'^  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
amongst  the  gifts,  described  in  1  Cor.  chap.  xii.  1 
to  13  verses.  And  w^e  believe  they  are  now  attain- 
able, by  obedience  to  the  VOICE  OF  JESUS,  the 
WONDERFUL,  the  COUNSELLOR,  Isa.  ix.  6. 
Although  we  "  desire  gifts^''  yet,  we  hold  THAT 
THE  CONVERSION  OF  THE  SOULS  OF  MEN 
is  ABOVE  ALL  PRICE,  and  is  that  which  we 
zealously  aim  at.  Therefore  we  let  "the  Word 
of  the  Lord  have  FREE  COURSE"  IN  THIS 


•  DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.  99 

CHURCH,  2  Thes.  iii.  1.  And  hold  to  ALL  the 
spiritual  evidences  as  manifested  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  from  the  days  of  Wesley  up  to 
this  day,  at  their  camp^  prayer^  and  class  meetings. 
And  many  of  us  can  testify  that  ihe  fulness  of  power 
which  thrills  through  our  body^  and  stiffens  and  sus- 
pends^ in  many  instances,  the  outward  animation., 
IS  OF  GOD.  As  the  Psalmist  expresses  it,  "  He 
shall  come  down  git-AS  RATNc^}  UPON  THE 
MOWN  GRASS,  AS  (jrt^SHOWERS^  THAT 
WATER  THE  EARTH,"  Psa.  Lxxii.  6,  see  Hosea 
vi.  3.     Glory  be  to  Jesus! 

We  allow  all  our  brethren  in  the  churchy  to  speak 
as  the  Lord  reveals  his  will,  and  giveth  them 
ABILITY.  For  the  spirits  of  the  Prophets  are  sub- 
ject to  the  Proptiets,  saith  the  Apostle,  1  Cor.  xiv. 
26  to  33.  And  we  also  allow  our  sisters  in  the 
church,  to  '•'■  help"  us  by  prayer,  in  our  prayer 
meetings^  and  select  meetings^  and  to  pray  with 
mourners  of  their  own  sex  in  particular^  for  such 
appears  to  be  the  privilege  of  females  in  the  Apos- 
tolical churches^  see  Phil.  iv.  3,  and  jVcts  i.  14. 

Article  XX. 
OUR  PREACHERS. 

We  allow  our  preachers  no  pecuniary  or  other 
compensation  for  their  services^  and  invest  them  with 
no  authority  which  can  in  any  wise  deprive  the  child- 
ren of  Jesus  of  their  spiritual  or  church  liberty. 
Hence  we  appoint  no  one  to  open  or  lead  our  meet- 
ings^ the  '■'•  greatesV  should  he: '"'- servant  of  all ^"^^ 
saith  Jesus.     Therefore,  we  reject  class  meetings. 

We  invite  all  to  our  public  meetings,  especially 
sincere  seekers  after  truth :  yet  we  admit  NONE  to 

■  \ 


100  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

join  our  church  as  PROBATIONERS,  not  even 
our  own  children.  Because  we  wish  and  have 
determined^  that  whilst  the  Holy  Spirit  of  mercy  is 
moving  in  our  meetijigs^  to  have  NO  DEAD 
MEMBERS  or  slumberers  amongst  us.  But  that 
all  shall  be  on  the  watch  tower,  and  in  full  liberty 
or  life,  with  power  to  rejoice  and  "shout  aloud" 
the  praises  of  Jesus's  name,  whenever  w^e  are 
by  his  love  constrained  so  to  do. 

And  if  any  member  fall  from  faith  under  the  buf- 
fetings  of  Satan, -and  become  habitually  lukewarm 
and  inefficient  in  the  church,  it  shall  the  the  'privilege 
of  any  member  to  privately  admonish  such  a  mem- 
ber, in  tenderness,  and  to  direct  him  to  read  such 
parts  of  the  address  and  disciplines^  suits  his  case; 
but  if  immovable,  any  member  may  bring  the  case 
before  the  church,  who  shall  make  a  direct  applica- 
tion to  Jesus  for  his  restoration  by  kneeling  in 
silent  prayer,  which  will  be  effiectual  if  the  person  be 
born  of  God.  But  if  these  means  should  fail,  there 
has  been  a  wa7it  of  wisdom  somewhere  in  the  admis- 
sion of  the  member,  and  he  or  she  must  be  suspended 
from  membership.  For  we  are  determined,  through 
the  help  qf  Jesus,  to  have  no  lukew^arm  Laodicean 
MEMBERS  IN  OUR  CHURCH,  Icst,  as  Jcsus  dcclarcs  to 
such,  "  I  know  thy  works,  that  thou  art  neither  cold 
nor  hot.  I  would  thou  w^ert  cold  or  hot,  and  so  then 
because  thou  art  lukewarm^  and  neither  cold  nor  hot, 
I  will  SPUE  THEE  OUT  OF  MY  MOUTH," 
Revelations  iii.  15,  16.  So  much  does  Jesus  loathe 
such  as  are  lukewarm,  or  are  neither  cold  nor  hot 
towards  him.  Therefore  we  desire,  that  all  the 
SINGING  in  this  church  shall  be  in  the  spirit  of 
Jesus,  and  with  /f/eand  animation:  and  not  drawled 
out,  as  in  the  formal  Laodicean  churches.  We  al- 
low no  choirs  of  music  in  our  churches ;  but  we  ^^old 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.         101 

that  the  tunes  and  choruses  should  be  simple  and 
child-like^  as  becometh  the  Gospel. 


Article  XXL 
CLERGY  OR  LAITY  OF  OTHER  CHURCHES. 

We  believe  in  an  entire  and  perfect  union,  or 
assimilation  of  the  Divine  and  launan  natures  in  the 
person  of  JESUS,  by  which  "GOD"  "WAS 
JVIADE  FLESH,"  John  i.  1-14,  and  actually  "  suf- 
fered'' and  DIED  for  us,  Rev.  i.  17,  18.  And 
that  "  GOD"  "  purchased  us  with  his  own  blood," 
Acts  XX.  28.  Confirmatory  of  this  blessed  truth, 
we  now  feel  a^berty  to  say,  to  all  who  have  read 
our  Address,  f^l  Explanation  of  the  Title  of  this 
Church,  and  the  Xlth  Article,  That  the  soul  and 
BODY  of  the  "man  Christ  Jesus,"  are  the  soul  and 
body  of  Jlhovah  God,  because  he  saith  so.  "  Be- 
hold my  servant,"  saith  Jehovah,  "in  whom  MY 
SOUL  deliirhteth,"  see  ISAIAH  XLii.  1,  also  Article 
XL  JESUS  beincT  "  Without  Father''  or  ''Mother" 
(according;  to  the  flesh),  or  "descent,"  Heb.  vii.  3. 
So  HE,  Jehovah,  brought  HIS  SOUL  (as  he  saith, 
''^lY  SO\jL")  down  with  him,  ^r\i\  as  he  "TOOK" 
FLESH  from  the  Blessed  Virgin,  that  flesh  be- 
came ihejiesh  of  Jehovah  or.  "  God"  the  "  Word." 
Therefore  we  read,  "the  WORD  WAS  MADE 
FLESH,"  or  ASSIMILATED  WITH  FLESH. 

So,  we  cannot  permit  those  to  preach,  pray,  or 
exhort  amongst  us,  who  believe  in  the  hypostati- 
cal  union  of  the  divine  and  human  natures  in  JESUS. 
Which  is  the  doctrine,  that  there  is  "TWO  DIS- 
TINCT" or  "SEPARATE"  ''natures,"  without 
"  mixture"  or  "  CONFUSION,"  in  the  person  of  the 
Lord  who  gave  his  life  for  us  :  That  is,  ONE  nature 
9* 


102  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

which  SUFFERED,  and  one  that  DID  NOT,  and 
COULD  NOT  SUFFER. 

This  doctrine  opposes  the  constitutional  principles 
of  this  church,  and  would  introduce  CONFUSION 
mto  our  public  worship.  When  we  pray,  we  ad- 
dress Jesus  as  *'  our  Father  which  art  in  heaven," 
Matt.  vi.  9.  And  can  say  "  hallowed  be  thy  name,^^ 
for  JESUS  is  the  very  name  and  person  of  the 
Father,  (John  xiv.  7,  8,  9.)  Even  "  the  everlasting 
Father,"  saith  Isa.  ix.  6.  And  we  can  say  ^^thy 
kingdom  come,"  for  the  kingdom  belongs  to  Jesus, 
and  Saint  Peter  says,  it  is  "  the  everlastingkingdom 
of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,"  2  Pet.  i.  11, 
and  we  can  say  ''give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread.^'' 
For  JESUS  saith,  he  himself  i^"  the  TRUE 
BREAD,"  "the  bread  OF  GOD,"  and  "the 
LIVING  BREAD  lohich  came  down  from  heaven^^"^ 
John  iv.  32,  33-51.  And  as  we  thus  pray  to  Jesus^ 
as  the  only  God,  in  heaven  and  in  earth,  and  know 
him  to  be  the  very  Father,  the  very  Son,  and  the  very 
Holy  Ghost,  and  "WHO  IS  OVER  ALL  ^Godc^j) 
BLESSED  FOREVER.  Amen,"  (saith  the  Apos- 
tle.) Rom.  ix.  5.  So  we  cannot  permit  any  to 
preach,  pray,  or  exhort  amongst  us,  who  cannot 
THUS  PRAY  TO  JESUS  their  MAKER,  John  i.  3. 

Article  XXIL 

UNBELIEVERS  IN  THE  ETERNITY  AND 
DIVINITY  OF  JESUS  THE  SON  OF  GOD, 
AS  A  SON. 

.  All  persons  who  do  not  believe  in  the  eternal 
Sonship,  or  that  the  Son  of  God  the  Father  was  be- 
gotten  as  a  Son  from  all  eternity,  and  "  came  down 
from  heaven"  AS  A  SON,  and  bore  the  same  re- 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.         103 

lation  to  the  Father,  as  a  Son  from  all  eternity,  as  he 
did  bear  whilst  in  the  flesh  at  Jerusalem,  and  all 
who  deny  him  to  be  altogether  equal  to  the  Father, 
we  denominate  Socinians,  or  Arians,  both  of  whom 
deny  the  eternity  of  the  Word  or  Son  of  God.  And 
although  the  Arians  say  that  the  Son  pre-existed,  and 
that  there  was  but  one  nature  in  Jesus,  except  the 
body  of  flesh,  yet  they  deny  him  eternity  and  di- 
vinity, and  say  "  he  was  the  first  and  the  noblest  of 
those  beings  whom  God  had  created,"  and  there- 
fore believe  him  to  be  a  created  being  only. 

With  such  as  these,  we  have  no  Christian  fellow- 
ship whatever.  Such  are  the  Unitarians  in  all  their 
grades,  the  Swedenborgians,  the  followers  of  Dr. 
Adam  Clarke,  the  Methodist  Episcopal  commenta- 
tor, &c.  The  Dr.  says,  it  is  ''Anti-scriptural,  and 
highly  dangerous"  to  believe  in  "the  eternal  Son- 
ship."  See  his  Commentaries  on  first  of  Saint  Luke. 
Moreover,  we  cannot  permit  such  as  believe  that 
there  are  two  '•'entire'^'*  and  distinct  natures  in  the 
person  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  (called  the  Hypostatical 
union,)  to  preach,  or  exhort,  or  pray  amongst  us. 
See  Article  XXL  Because,  as  they  assert,  that  one 
of  those  two  natures,  IS  the  ETERNAL  Son  of 
God  ;  and  the  other,  is  the  suffering  Son  from  time, 
they  absolutely  make  two  Sons  in  the  Holy  Trinity, 
"the  Father,  the  Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost."  Matt. 
xxviii.  19.  That  is,  one  eternal  Son,  who  could 
not,  and  did  not  suffer,  and  one  Sonyrom  time  who 
did  suffer,  and  who  died  on  the  cross  for  our  sins. 
In  this  manner  they  try  to  make  out  the  sufferings 
of  the  Son  of  God,  but  as  this  Son  of  God  is  hypo- 
statically  or  distinctively  united  to  the  eternal  Son, 
and  not  '•'■mixed'^''  nor  ^^ confused^ ^  with  him:  So  ac- 
cording to  this  theory,  they  are  saved  by  this  Son 
of  time,  which  they  say  only  suffered,  and  rob  the 


104  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

eternal  Son  of  his  glory,  who  declared,  before  he 
came  down  from  heaven,  to  Isaiah,  "J,  even  I,  am 
the  Lord,  and  BESIDE  ME  there  is  NO  SA- 
VIOUR," Isa.  XLiii.  11.  And  who  further  de- 
clared, "  Mine  OWN  arm  brought  salvation  mito 
me,  and  my  fury  it  upheld  me."  Isa.  Lxiii.  5. 

Therefore,  the  atlenjpt  to  give  infinite  merit  to 
an  atonement  made  by  a  Son  from  time,  helped 
and  upheld  through  the  eternal  Son  attached  to  him, 
is  altogether  abortive,  and  directly  opposes  the 
Scriptures  just  quoted.  Because,  saith  the  record 
just  quoted,  "  I  have  trodden  the  wine  press 
ALONE."  *'I  looked,  and  there  was  none  to 
HELP,  and  I  wondered,  and  there  was  none  to  UP- 
HOLD," therefore  ''mine  OWN  ARM  brought 
salvation  unto  me."  Consequently  the  atonement 
was  made  without  aid  or  support  from  any  one.  It 
was  made  by  the  ETERNAL  SON  HIMSELF, 
who  ''was  madejlesh,^^  saith  the  Apostle.  He  be- 
came man  in  one  nature  "and  dwelt  among  us." 
John  i.  14.  Glory  be  to  Jesus!  our  "Lord  and  our 
God!"  The  reader  need  only  refer  to  the  follow- 
ing texts  in  connection,  to  be  fully  satisfied  that  the 
eternal  Son  suffered,  and  died  for  us,  and  *'  BY 
HIMSELF  purged  our  sins,"  as  the  Apostle  de- 
clares. Heb.  i.  3;  see  Daniel  iii.  25;  John  vi.  38; 
John  vi.  62;  (Jcf=John  iii.  13;Xg  John  xvi.  28, 
xvii.  5;  1  Cor.  xv.  45-47;  Rev.  i.  8-17,  18;  Rev. 
ii.  8-18.  And  although  the  Swedenborgians  pro- 
fess to  worship  Jesus  as  the  Lord  Jehovah,  we  wish 
to  guard  all  against  their  subtilities.  Svvedenborg 
denies  the  eternal  Sonship  of  Jesus  altogether;  and 
declares,  there  was  no  Trinity  before  the  creation, 
or  before  the  birth  of  Jesus  Christ.  See  his  work 
called  "True  Christian  Religion,"  No.  82,  83,  and 
163,  No,  111.     He  says  the  Son  of  God  was  born 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.         105 

or  begotten  in  time,  and  is  not  the  Redeemer,  see 
83,  101.  He  says  the  Son  of  God,  even  Jesus,  is 
the  humanity  born  in  time,  see  135,  212.  He  says 
that  the  Son  of  God  made  himself  righteousness,  by 
acts  of  redemption,  and  hy  the  same  united  himself 
unto  the  Father.  He  denies  the  atonement,  and 
that  we  are  saved  by  Christ's  righteousness.  He 
denies  the  resurrection  of  the  body,  and  the  end  of 
the  world,  and  declares  the  Holy  Ghost  is  not  a 
person,  but  "a  divine  operation. "^"^  See  chap.  HI., 
T.  C.  R.  He  says  that  to  be  in  the  Spirit,  is  that 
of  a  man  being  in  his  own  mind,  separate  from  his 
body.  See  No.  157. 

And,  although  the  Swedenborgians  apparently 
worship  Jesus  Christ  in  unity  with  the  Father,  yet  by 
denying  him  eternity,  and  by  saying  he  is  not  co-es- 
sential with  the  Father,  and  not  of  the  divine  essence, 
and  that  as  a  Son  he  was  wholly  out  of  time:  they 
destroy  and  nullify  the  Scriptures. 

Jesus  says  positively,  that  the  Father  was  never  seen 
or  known  of  men,  (until  he  was  pleased  to  reveal 
himself,  as  the  Father,  to  Philip,  John  xiv.  7,  8,  9.) 
Therefore  when  Swedenborg  denies  the  SON  to  he 
Jehovah,  and  the  Redeemer,  (see  83,  92,  101,  T.  C. 
R.)  he  has  been  obliged,  for  the  sake  of  consistency, 
to  SUBSTITUTE  AN  ANGEL  with  Moses  on  the 
Mount,  in  the  place  of  Christ  or  God,  (see  No.  135, 
T.  C.  R.)  We  believe  the  Swedenborgian  religion 
to  be  a  refinement  of  the  Socinian  and  Unitarian  doc- 
trines. But  more  insidious  and  hurtful,  because 
i\\ey  profess  to  worship  Jesus  the  Son,  and  yet,  deny 
him  eternity;  which  many,  who  have  not  read  his 
(Swedenborg'' s)  works,  would  be  ignorant  of,  and 
therefore  deceived;  we,  therefore,  notice  his  works 
particularly. 


106  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

Article  XXIII. 

JESUS  CANNOT  BE  LIMITED. 

We  are  taught  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  That  heaven 
is  the  Throne  of  God.  And  as  God  is  omnipresent, 
see  Psalm  cxxxix.  7,  8,  9,  or  EVERYWHERE,  so 
we  believe  that  wherever  GOD  IS,  THERE  THE 
KINGDOM  OF  HEAVEN  AND  THE  THRONE 
OF  GOD  IS  ALSO.  And  although  "  God,"  humbled 
himself,  and  took  upon  him  the  "FORM  of  a  ser- 
vant," and  became  lowly  as  a  lamb,  yet,  we  be- 
lieve he  never  VACATED  HIS  THRONE  NOR 
THE  KINGDOM  OF  HEAVEN.  As  he  declared 
to  the  Ruler  Nicodemus,  "  JVb  man  hath  ascended  up 
to  heaven  but  he  that  came  doiun  from  heaven^  even 
the  C#=SON  OF  MAN  WHICH  IS  IN  HEAVEN.^ 
John  iii.  13.  Being  outwardly  "  manifested" 
"through  his  flesh  the  veil,"  but  inwardly  was 
then  in  heaven^  on  his  throne.  [And  was  the  same 
ETERNAL  JESUS  that  he  always  was.  "The 
same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  forever!"  saith  the 
Apostle.  Heb.  xiii.  8.  "ALL  POWER,"  saith 
Jesus,  "  is  given  unto  me  IN  HEAVEN  and  in 
earth.''''  Matt,  xxviii.  18.  Therefore,  as  Saint  Paul 
declares,  he  is  the  SAME  FOREVER:  So  his 
power,  and  omnipotence,  and  reign,  will  be  the  same 
FOREVER,  and  have  "NO  END."]  Luke  i.  33. 
The  words  "I  came  dow^n,"  and  "ascend  up"  and 
"from  above,"  as  spoken  by  our  Lord,  have  the 
same  meaning  as  when  he  said,  "I  CAME  FORTH 
from  the  Father,  and  am  come  into  the  world.''^ 
John  xvi.  28.  If  Jesus  had  let  his  "majesty"  and 
DIVINE  GLORY,  hidden  hy  the  veil  the  flesh,  shine  forth 
not  in  its  fulness,  but  as  when  transfigured  on  the 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.         107 

mount,  he  would  have  satisfied  all  ;  that  HE  was 
"  The  First  and  the  Last,^^  and  "  besides^^  him  there 
'^  is'''' and  was  ^^  no  God.''^  Isa.  xlIv.  6.  Jesus 
NEVER  changed  ;  he  assimilated  the  "  Divjne 
Nature,"  2  Pet.  i.  4,  with  our  nature  when  he 
becam.e  man,  but  this  was  according  to  his  ''ETER- 
NAL PURPOSE,''  and  therefore  AN  UNCHANGE- 
ABLE purpose.  Eph.  iii.  11.  JESUS  IS  "THE 
TRUTH."  Therefore,  as  he  positively  assures 
Nicodemus  that  he  was  THEN  IN  HEAVEN,  at 
the  very  time  he  was  speaking  to  him,  so  we  are 
BOUND  to  believe  him.  "The  (eternal)  brightness 
of  his  glory,"  was  then  unchangeably  the  same.  But 
veiled,  so  that  he  could  perform  HIS  iMEDIATO- 
RIAL  OFFICE  between  man  and  His  just  penalty, 
^Hhou  shall  surely  die.''''  Gen.  ii.  17.  Jesus  being 
IN  heaven  and  ON  earth  at  the  same  ti?ne,  could  form 
the  Lord's  Prayer,  namely,  "Our  Father  which  art 
in  heaven,"  Matt.  vi.  9  to  13,  AS  APPLICABLE 
TO  HIMSELF  ALONE,  for  he  was  "the  Father 
also."  John  xiv.  7.  And  we  as  a  church  give 
Jesus  eternal  gratitude  and  glory,  that  he  has  re- 
vealed to  us  in  the  Scriptures,  John  xiv.  7,  8,  9,  and 
by  his  spirit,  Rom.  viii.  15,  that  he  himself  IS  "the 
Everlasting  Father."  The  Prophet  Isaiah  de- 
clared him  to  be  "THE  EVERLASTING  FA- 
THER." Isa.  ix.  6.  Therefore,  the  Apostles  could 
WORSHIP  JESUS  THE  ONLY  GOD,  whilst  HE 
was  upon  earth,  "  in  spirit  and  in  truth,''''  as  they  did 
worship  him.  Matt.  xiv.  33.  Luke  xxiv.  52.  And 
could  pray  unto  him,  as  their  Father,  John  xiv.  7, 
X.  30,  and  say  "Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven," 
because,  Jesus  was  their  Father,  and  was  then  "  IN 
HEAVEN,"  (as  he  positively  declared  to  Nicodemus,) 
see  John  iii.  13,  at  the  very  time  he  framed  "the 
Lord's  prayer"  for  them.     Jesus  our  Lord  suddenly 


108  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

showed  himself  to  his  disciples  after  he  was  risen 
from  the  dead,  on  two  occasions.  The  doors  being 
shut  at  both  times,  for  fear  of  the  Jews.  (See  John  xx. 
19,26.  Luke xxiv.  36,40.)  Jesus  having' 'a// jooi^er" 
needed  not  that  the  doors  should  be  opened  to  let 
Mm  in.  So  he  suddenly  "  stood  in  the  midst  of  them, 
and  saith  unto  them,  *' Peace  be  unto  you,"  but 
they  were  terrified  and  affrighted,  and  supposed  that 
they  had  seen  a  spirit.  And  he  said  unto  them, 
why  are  ye  troubled  ?  and  why  do  thoughts  arise  in 
your  hearts^''''  ("for  he  know^eth  the  hearts.")  Be- 
hold my  hands  and  my  feet  that  it  is  I  MYSELF, 
handle  me  and  5ee,  for  a  spirit  hath  not  flesh  and 
hones  as  ye  see  me  have. 

This  passage  shows  the  unlimited  power  of  Jesus 
over  his  body,  by  w^hich  he  could  make  himself  tan- 
gible and  intactihle  at  pleasure,  which  he  exercised 
on  several  occasions  before  his  crucifixion.  At  one 
time  he  walked  on  the  *' boisterous  sea."  Matt. 
xiv.  25,  31.  And  w^hen  he  declared  himself  to  be 
Jehovah,  the  "  I  AM,"  "  the  Jews  took  up  stones  to 
cast  at  him,"  but  Jesus  HID  HIMSELF— going 
through  the  MIDST  of  them,  and  SO  passed  by." 
John  viii.  58,  59.  That  is,  he  made  himself  m?;m- 
hle,  and  passed  through  their  midst,  by  the  same 
powder  that  he  passed  through  into  the  "midst"  of 
the  disciples,  ''the  doors  being  shuty  This  appear- 
ance of  our  Lord  to  his  disciples,  is  quoted  by  the 
Presbyterians,  in  their  "  Confession  of  Faith,"  dated 
1827,  chapter  2d,  page  10,  note  f.  It  is  quoted  as 
an  evidence,  that  the  "  One  only  living  and  true  God, 
is  a  pure  spirit,  invisible,  without  body  or  parts. ^"^ 
By  which  they  mean,  or  imply,  that  Jesus  was  not 
the  "true  God,"  because  he  condescended  to  ap- 
pear in  a  body  which  his  disciples  could  "handle." 
We  as  a  church,  believe  him  to  be  "  the  true  God," 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.         109 

as  John  declares,  1  John  v.  20,  and  the  "One  only 
living  and  true  God,"  and  "a  pure  spirit,"  and  a 
"Quickening  Spirit:"  1  Cor.  xv.  45.  John  v.  21. 
Notwithstanding  his  body  of  "flesh  and  bones." 
Because  the  Scriptures  declare  plainly,  that  HE 
"WAS  GOD,"  John  i.  1  ;  and  we  believe  that  as 
he  came  into  their  midst  like  a  spirit,  without  open- 
ing the  doors,  so  when  he  made  himself  tangible, 
and  used  the  declaration,  "handle  me,"  it  w^as  to 
allay  their  "  teiror  and  affright,'''^  so  that  they  might 
recognize  him,  and  be  really  convinced,  that  it  w^as 
the  crucified  Redeemer  himself,  and  not  a  mere 
shadow,  or  a  spirit.  For  this  was  the  surest  way  of 
satisfying  his  Apostles,  that  his  body  had  actually 
arisen.  But  when  this  passage  is  quoted  by  profes- 
sors to  prove,  that  ^Hhe  true  God  is  without  body  or 
parts,^^  as  they  all  believe,  it  is  a  satisfactory  evi- 
dence that  professing  Christendom,  (with  their  hy- 
postatical  invention,)  do  not  believe  that  Jesus  is 
"the  true  God:"  or,  that  this  divine  being  who  now 
appeared  to  the  Apostles  with  the  marks  of  his  suf- 
ferings and  crucifixion  in  a  body,  which  they 
could  touch  and  handle,  is  the  true  God.  Saint 
John  testifies,  "We  have  seen  w'ith  our  eyes — we 
have  looked  upon,  and  our  hands  have  handled  of 
the  WORD  of  Life."  See  John  i.  1.  And  be- 
cause Jesus  thus  appeared  in  a  form  which  could 
be  seen,  and  handled,  they  do  not  believe  him  to 
be  the  "  true  and  only  God,"  w^hich  John  assures 
us  he  was.  See  1  John  v.  20.  Moreover,  he 
gave  his  Apostles  at  that  visitation  a  more  striking 
and  substantial  evidence,  that  it  was  really  himself, 
and  that  he  had  all  power  over  his  body,  and 
over  all  things.  And  that  he  w^as  really  present 
with  them,  as  he  was,  beforehe  was  crucified.  This 
was  done  by  eating  before  them,  as  follows :  "  And 
10 


110  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

he  said  unto  them,  have  ye  any  meat  ?  And  they 
gave  him  a  piece  of  broiled  fish  and  of  an  honey- 
comb, and  he  took  it  and  did  eat  before  them." 
And  then,  "  he  led  them  out  as  far  as  to  Bethany, 
and  he  lifted  up  his  hands  and  blessed  them,  and 
it  came  to  pass  while  he  blessed  them,  he  was  parted 
from  them,  a7id  carried  up  into  heaven,  AND  THEY 
WORSHIPPED  HIM,  and  returned  to  Jerusalem 
with  great  joy^  See  Luke  xxiv.,  the  41,  42,  43, 
50,  51,  52  verses. 

By  these  acts,  we  are  fully  assured  that  Jesus 
made  himself  tangible  and  substantial,  FOR  THAT 
VERY  OCCASION;  so  as  to  fully  convince  his  dis- 
ciples and  followers,  of  his  real  presence  with  them. 
And  by  eating  the  fish  and  honey,  and  immediately 
afterward  ascending  "up  into  heaven."  We  have  a 
standing  and  substantial  record,  that  as  Jesus  Christ 
the  Son  of  God,  "  created  all  things,"  (John  i.  3. 
Eph.  iii.  9.  Heb.  i.  2:)  so  he  could  transmute, 
change,  or  dissolve  all  things  into  their  original  ele- 
ments, or  essences,  or  into  nothing.  Because  the 
"  fish  and  the  honeycomb"  were  eaten  by  him, 
and  as  he  ascended  into  heaven  apparently  w^ith 
them,  they  must  have  been  transmuted  or  changed. 
THEREFORE,  JESUS,  THE  "HOLY  ONE," 
Acts  iii.  14,  MUST  NOT  BE  LIMITED.  Neither 
dishonored  by  the  gross  insinuation,  and  we  may 
say  belief,  that  he  now  has  fiesh  and  hones.  "  For 
HE  ONLY  hath  immortality,  DWELLING  IN 
THE  LIGHT,  which  no  man  can  approach  unto; 
whom  no  man  hath  seen  nor  can  see,  to  whom 
be  honor  and  power  everlasting.  Amen."  1  Tim. 
vi.  16.  For  Jesus  Christ  "is  OVER  ALL,  GOD 
BLESSED  FOREVER."  Romans  ix.  5.  And  he 
is  '^unsearchable  in  his  riches,"  Eph.  iii.  8,  "and 
in  his  greatness."    Psalm  cxlv.  3.    And  because 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.         Ill 

he  condescended  in  his  great  love,  to  veil  his  glory 
with  a  body  of  flesh,  so  as  to  MEDIATE  and  redeem 
us  from  "  the  wrath  to  come,"  we  his  creatures  thus 
mercifully  loved,  and  honored,  DARE  LIMIT  HIM! 
HE  who  HATH  ALL  POWER.  "  And  before  whom 
John  fell  as  dead  at  his  feet,"  when  he  only  made 
an  OUTWARD  manifestation  of  his  ^'unsearchable" 
light  and  glory.  ''  W^hom  no  man  can  see"  in  his  full 
glory.     Amen!     Hallelujah! 

The  holy  body  of  Jesus  that  hung  on  the  cross, 
and  w^as  buried,  and  arose  on  the  third  day,  was 
transmuted  and  changed  into  a  glorious  body :  Into 
THE  ''Divine  Nature."  See  2  Peter  i.  4.  And  as 
Saint  Paul  records,  "according  to  the  working, 
whereby  he  is  able  [to  SUBDUE  ALL  THINGS 
UNTO  HIMSELF."]  Phil.  iii.  21.  That  is,  into 
his  now  glorious  body,  upon  which  no  man  can 
look  and  live.  Rev.  i.  18.  Many  professors  of  re- 
ligion, and  teachers  in  what  are  called  orthodox,  or 
evangelical  churches,  have  deliberately  limited  the 
"HOLY  ONE  of  Israel."  Psalm  Lxxviii.  41.  They 
have  first  of  all,  adopted  the  strange  inconsistency, 
that  in  the  person  of  Jesus,  there  was  an  Eternal, 
and  divine  SOl^,  "perfect  in  his  nature,^^  which 
could  not  and  did  not  suffer  pain,  hunger  or  thirst. 
And  another  son,  born  in  time,  and  also  a  '•^perfect 
man,''"'  who  did  suffer  joam,  hunger,  and  thirst,  and 
died  on  the  cross.  And  they  endeavor  so  to  fix 
those  TWO  natures  together,  so  as  to  make  of  them 
one  person,  although  they  say  the  natures  are  per- 
fectly DISTINCT.  They  consequently  make  TWO 
SONS  in  the  person  of  Jesus,  one  eternal,  and  one 
of  time,  and  that  this  latter  son  of  time  is  the  one 
whose  blood  atoned  for  our  sins !  And  in  this 
manner  they  limit  the  Eternal  Son,  and  "  HOLY 
ONE,"  by  denying  him  the  CAPABILITY  of  being 


112  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND 

^' made  flesh, "^"^  and  becoming  man,  in  reality.  And 
they  evade  the  truth,  by  FIXING  unto  him  a  son 
that  could  suffer.  Our  "Blessed  God,"  even  Jesus 
declared,  BEFORE  Abram  was,  I  AM.  And  John 
the  Baptist  testifies,  "After  me  cometh  A  MAN, 
which  is  preferred  before  me,  for  HE  was  before  me." 
John  i.  30.  Although  the  Scriptures  testify,  that 
John  the  Baptist,  was  six  months  older  than  Jesus, 
according  to  the  flesh.  See  Luke  i.  24,  25-36. 
So  that  the  Scriptures  abundantly  testify  that,  "the 
second  man  (Jesus)  is  the  Lord  from  heaven.'^''  1 
Cor.  XV.  47.  Professing  Christendom  limit  Je- 
sus "THE  HOLY  ONE"  in  another  manner,  by 
giving  him  locality  both  in  time  and  in  eternity. 
And  place  the  HOLY  ONE,  Acts  iii.  14,  THE 
TRUE  GOD,  1  John  v.  20,  and  "the  LORD  GOD 
of  the  Holy  Prophets,"  Rev.  xxii.  6,  at  the  right 
HAND  of  ANOTHER  GOD,  sitting  somewhere  in 
space  on  a  throne.  And  before  this  God,  Jesus 
stands  or  sits  forever,  interceding  for  us. 
Whereas,  God's  right  hand  spanneth,  or  compas- 
seth  the  heavens.  Isa.  XLviii.  13.  This  word  right 
hand  as  used  by  all  holy  men,  is  ^figure  applicable 
to  HIS  POWER.  And  means  that,  which  JESUS  DE- 
CLARES IT  TO  BE,  in  the  Gospel  of  Saint  Luke, 
22d  chapter  and  69th  verse,  as  follows:  HERE- 
AFTER SHALL  YE  SEE  THE  SON  OF  MAN 
SIT  ON  THE  RIGHT  HAND  OF  THE  ^POWER 
OF  GOD.#§.  Also  see  Mark  xiv.  62.  "  And  ye 
shall  see  the  son  of  man  sitting  on  the  RIGHT  HAND 
OF  POWER,"  which  saying  is  also  recorded  by 
Matthew  xxvi.  64.  We,  therefore,  implicitly  be- 
lieve the  declaration  of  the  Lord  to  the  Prophet 
Isaiah.  (Isa.  Lxvi.  1,  2,  5.)  Thus  saith  the  Lord, 
THE  HEAVEN  IS  MY  THRONE,  and  the  EARTH 
is  my  footstool.     WHERE  IS  THE  HOUSE  that 


DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH.  113 

ye  build  unto  ME,  and  where  is  the  PLACE  OF 
MY  REST,  for  all  those  things  hath  MINE  HAND 
MADE !  And  all  those  things  HAVE  BEEN,  saith 
the  Lord,  (witness  Solomon's  temple).  But  to 
THIS  MAN  WILL  I  LOOK,  EVEN  TO  HIM 
THAT  IS  POOR  AND  OF  A  CONTRITE  SPIRIT, 
and  tremhleth  at  my  word.  And  with  such  a  man, 
the  Kingdom  of  God  becomes  manifest  in  the  soul, 
as  Jesus  declares.  Luke  xvii.  21.  And  Jesus  dwells 
there  in  his  kingdom^  ^^ within  uSy^^  as  he  declared. 
John  xiv.  23.  He  dwells  in  us  together  with  the 
Holy  Ghost  and  comforter.  For  the  Prophet  Isaiah 
continues,  (see  verse  5th,)  '^he  shall  appear  TO 
YOUR  JOY!"  Amen  LORD  JESUS!  When  Jesus 
made  the  glorious  manifestation  of  himself  to  the 
Evangelist,  he  declares,  *'  I  am  he  that  liveth  and 
was  deady  and  behold!  I  am  alive  forevermore,  and 
have  the  KEYS  OF  HELL  and  OF  DEATH." 
Rev.  i.  18.  W^e  therefore  believe,  that  by  his  un- 
limited  power  and  control  over  all  things,  the  devils, 
and  Satan,  can  do  no  more  than  they  are  permitted 
to  do.  The  devils  could  not  even  enter  into  the 
herd  of  swine,  without  the  permission  of  Jesus,  "  and 
besought  him  77iuch,''^  (saith  the  text,)  to  have  per- 
mission so  to  do.  See  Mark  v.  1-13.  And  in  the 
case  of  Job,  the  devil  could  not  approach  him,  nor 
afflict  him,  until  he  obtained  divine  permission,  see 
the  first  and  second  chapters  of  the  Book  of  Job. 

We,  therefore,  understand  by  the  words  of  Jesus, 
when  he  declared,  he  had  ALL  POWER,"  Matt. 
xxviii.  18,  to  mean,  UNLIMITED  power.  HE 
being  the  very  *^  ANCIENT  OF  DAYS"  himself 
w^hose  "  head  and  his  hairs  were  white  like  wool,"  as 
white  as  snow,  see  Rev.  i.  14,  Dan.  vii.  9,  to  whom 
"every  knee  5/ia// 6oi^."  Amen.  Hallelujah. 
10* 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ARGUMENTS. 

Further  arguments  from  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
which  prove,  that  JESUS  OF  NAZARETH  WHO 
WAS  CRUCIFIED,  is  the  Eternal  Son,  and  THE 
ONE  ONLY  GOD  in  heaven  or  on  earth,  and  be- 
sides him  there  is  no  God. 

1.  We  believe  that  JESUS  bore  the  SAME  RE- 
LATION FROM  ALL  ETERNITY  to  the  Father, 
AS  A  SON,  even  as  distinctly  so  as  he  did  when  he 
was  in  the  flesh,  or  veil  at  Jerusalem. 

2.  That  is,  he  was  as  before  observed,  eternally 
begotten.     And,  therefore,  eternally  existed  as  a  son. 

3.  Which  we  believe  was  in  an  IMAGE-LIKE 
FORM.  See  Gen.  i.  2Q,  21.  Where  the  inspired 
WTiter,  speaking  of  the  creation  of  Adam,  clearly 
records,  "  IN  THE  IMAGE  OF  GOD  created  he 
him." 

4.  We  have  shown  from  several  Scriptures,  that 
the  SON,  even  JESUS,  (as  Saint  Paul  declares,)  IS 
the  very  "EXPRESS  IMAGE  OF  GOD."  So  that 
Adam  must  have  been  created  after  the  likeness  of 
JESUS  the  eternal  SON,  when  "God  said,  let  us 
make  man  in  OUR  LMAGE,  after  OUR  LIKE- 
NESS," and  placed  him  in  the  Garden  of  Eden. 
See  Gen.  i.  26. 


ARGUMENTS.  115 

5.  Hence  we  condemn  the  error  maintained  by 
many,  that  Jesus  did  not  personally  exist,  before  he 
was  manifested  in  the  flesh.  But  existed  in  the 
divine  mind,  or,  as  others  say,  "m  the  bosom  of  the 
Father  only. ' ' 

6.  Such  actually  charge  our  Lord  with  falsehood, 
for  he  declared,  ^^  I  came  down  from  heaven.'^''  John 
vi.  38.  Again,  "  What  and  if  ye  shall  see  the  SON 
OF  MAN  asce7id  up  WHERE  HE  WAS  BEFORE  ?" 
John  vi.  6.2. 

7.  Many  unbelievers  in  the  eternal  son-ship  are 
obliged  from  this  and  other  scriptures,  to  acknow- 
ledge, that  the  "  Son  of  Man"  here  spoken  of,  was  in 
heaven  "before,"  but  they  deny  that  the  "Son  of 
Man"  is  the  very  Son  of  God.  They  say,  the  Son  of 
Man  is  eternal,  and  "came  down  from  heaven,"  but 
deny  that  the  "Son  of  God"  "  came  down  from  hea- 
ven." 

8.  This  is  a  false,  and  an  unholy  subterfuge  of 
Satan,  and  contrary  to  the  numerous  declarations  of 
Jesus  himself,  recorded  in  the  Gospels.  These  holy 
records  prove,  the  SON  OF  GOD,  and  the  SON  OF 
MAN  to  be  ONE  and  the  same  PERSON  in  sub- 
stance, etermity  and  identity. 

9.  See  the  following  words,  or  sayings  of  JESUS, 
"  The  SON  OF  MAN  hath  not  where  to  lay  his 
head.''  Matt.  viii.  20.  Luke  ix.  58.  "  The  Son 
of  Man  came  eating  and  drinJdng.''  Matt.  xi.  19. 
"So  shall  the  Son  of  Man  be  three  days  and  three 
nights  in  the  heart  of  the  earth."  Matt.  xii.  40. 
"Whom  do  men  say  that  I  THE  SON  OF  MAN 
AM."  Matt.  xvi.  13.  "The  Son  of  Man  MUST 
SUFFER."  Lukeix.  22.  '' BetrayestihoiiihQ^onQi 
Man  with  a  kissV  Luke  xxii.  48.  "When  ye  shall 
have  lifted  up  the  Son  of  Man,  &c."    John  viii.  28. 

10.  By  these  words  of  Jesus  we  learn,  that  he  the 


116  ARGUMENTS. 

Son  of  Man  was  WEARY,  HE  EAT,  AND  DRANK, 
was  BETRAYED,  was  LIFTED  UP  on  the  Cross, 
and  was  DEAD  AND  BURIED.  And  many  other 
texts  could  be  given  to  show  that  the  Son  of  Man, 
and  the  So7i  of  God,  are  the  same  in  nature,  and 
identity  as  before  observed.  And  the  same  who  ap- 
peared to  Saint  John  on  the  Isle  of  Patmos  ;  recorded 
in  the  1st,  2d  and  3d  chapters  of  Revelations.  In 
the  1st  chapter,  13th  verse,  he  is  declared  to  be  the 
'^  Son  of  Man, "^"^  and  in  the  second  chapter  and  18th 
verse,  he  declares  himself  to  be  "the  Son  of  God.'^^ 
In  these  texts  the  Son  of  Man,  and  the  Son  of  God, 
are  expressly  declared  to  be  the  very  same  person. 

11.  Moreover,  the  Son  of  God  declares,  "I  came 
FORTH  from  the  Father,  and  am  come  into  the 
world,  AGAIN  /  leave  the  world  and  go  unto  the 
Father.^^  John  xvi.  28.  (This  last  declaration  con- 
vinced the  Apostles,  that  Jesus,  "  the  Son  of  God," 
pre-existed  as  a  Son.)  See  John  xvi.  28,  29,  30. 
And  they  exclaimed,  "Now  are  we  sure  THAT 
THOUKNOWEST  ALL  THINGS."  By  this  we 
believe,  that  thou  camest  forth  from  God.  John 
xvi.  18,  29,  30.  And  they  for  thej^rs^  time,  it  ap- 
pears, believed  that  JESUS  WAS  IN  HEAVEN 
"BEFORE,"  as  he  declared.  And  Jesus  sets  his 
seal  to  their  saying,  ^NOW  ARE  WE  SURE  that 
THOU  KNOWEST  ALL  THINGS:^  by  saying 
to  them,  "  DO  ye  NOW  believe."     See  verse  31. 

12.  We  maintain  that  the  TRUE  ANTI-CHRIST, 
is  he,  whom  the  Apostle  John  expressly  declares  TO 
BE  the  antichrist.  And  it  behoves  all  those  who 
SPECULATE  on  this  subject,  to  beware  how  they 
slight  and  wrest  the  plain  truths  of  the  Scripture. 

The  Apostle  John  thus  exclaims:  "Who  is  a 
LIAR,  but  he  that  DENIETH  that  JESUS  is  the 
CHRIST,  grt-HE  IS  ANTICHRIST,  that  denieth 


ARGUMENTS.  117 

the  Father  and  the  SON."    See  1  John  ii.  xxii.     So 
this  is  the  antichrist,  and  there  is  no  other. 

13.  Therefore,  no  sect,  nor  person^  can  be  called 
antichHst,  who  worship  Jesus,  and  believe  he  is 
the  Christ.  Now  mark,  the  true  antichrist,  is  that 
SPIRIT  IN  MAN,  which  denies  that  JESUS  the  Son 
of  God,  even  the  MAN  who  suffered,  bled,  and  died 
on  Calvary,  IS  THE  CHRIST.  For  (saith  the  Apos- 
tle), "this  is  that  spirit  of  antichrist,  w^hereof  ye 
have  heard  that  it  should  come,  and  even  now  AL- 
READY is  it  in  the  world."  (IJohniv.  3.)  That 
is,  at  the  very  time  the  Apostle  lived,  and  therefore, 
the  appearance  of  antichrist,  according  to  the  Apos- 
tle, has  no  particular  reference  TO  TIME,  but  has 
reference  to  that  spirit  of  unbelief,  which  THEN 
in  his  time,  and  now  denies,  that  Jesus,  the  SON,  who 
washed  his  disciples'  feet,  is  "the  true  God."  Saint 
John  declares  THE  SON  to  be  the  TRUE  GOD.  1 
John  V.  20.  And  the  very  God.  Johni.  1,  2,  3.  This 
is  that  spirit  of  antichrist,  which  now,  like  a  wily 
serpent,  is  entwining  itself  around  the  hearts  of  all 
professors  who  have  not  the  Holy  Ghost,  through  the 
Qiew  birth.  Those  only  who  have  the  Holy  Ghost,  "  can 
(truly)  say,  that  Jesus  is  the  Lord,"  saith  the  Apostle. 
1  Cor.  xii.  1,  3.  Many  unbelievers,  who  deny  that 
the  MAN,  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  is  God,  nevertheless, 
believe  that  Christ  dwelt  in  Jesus  spiritually,  and  w^as 
God.    Such  are  the  CldjVites,  the  Yiioksites,  &c.  &c. 

14.  They  cannot  deny  Chrisfs  eternity.  For  he 
is,  saith  the  Apostle,  "the  same  yesterday,  and  to- 
day, and/orei;er."  Heb.  xiii.  8.  And  Saint  Paul 
further  declares.  "  Our  fathers  did  all  eat  the  same 
spiritual  meat,  and  did  all  drink  the  same  spiritual 
drink,  for  they  drank  of  that  Spiritual  Rock  that  fol- 
lowed them,  and  that  Rock  WAS  CHRIST."  "N'ei- 
ther  let  us  tempt  Christ,  as  some  of  them"  (in  the 


118  *'       ARGUMENTS. 

wilderness)  "  also  tempted^  and  were  destroyed  of  ser- 
pents." See  1  Cor.x.  3,  4-9.  Therefore  CHRIST 
was  the  "  LORD  GOD,"  who  followed  the  Jews  in 
the  wilderness,  and  whom  they  tempted.  And  it  is 
those  who  deny  that  JESUS  is  this  Christ,  who  fol- 
lowed the  Jews  in  the  wilderness,  whom  Saint  John 
calls  the  ANTICHRIST.  Amen,  Lord  Jesus.  We, 
therefore,  do  utterly  condemn  the  antichristian  sen- 
timents of  all  Socinians,  who,  like  Dr.  Adam  Clarke, 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  declare,  that 
there  are  "two  natures  in  Jesus  Christ."  That  the 
*'  Divine  nature,"  or  part,  "  could  not  be  born"  of  the 
virgin  Mary.  But  the  humanpart  only.  And  'Svhich 
is  the  Son  of  God,  and  INFERIOR  TO  HIM." 
Thus  boldly  declaring,  that  the  Son  is  inferior  to  the 
Father,  and  that  it  is  "highly  dangerous"  to  be- 
lieve, (says  he,)  in  the  Eternal  Sonship:  See  Dr. 
Clarke's  Commentaries,  on  first  of  Saint  Luke.  Also 
on  Acts  XX.  28,  where  he  denies  that  GOD  "pur- 
chased us  with  HIS  OWN  blood."  He  denies  the 
second  man  (Jesus)  is  THE  LORD  from  heaven. 
See  his  commentaries  on  Cor.  xv.  47. 

15.  Jesus  absolutely  declares,  that  those  who  saw 
him  SAW  THE  Father  ;  his  words  are,  if  ye  had 
KNOWN  ME,  ye  would  have  KNOWN  my  Father 
ALSO,  and  from  henceforth  ye  KNOW  HIM,  and 
(^HAVE  SEEN  HIM.^  He  that  hath  SEEN 
ME  hath  SEEN  the  Father.  John  xiv.  7,  9.  I 
AND  MY  FATHER  ARE  ONE.  John  x.  30. 
Therefore,  Saint  John  writes  to  those  who  had 
SEEN  JESUS,  these  words: 

16.  "I  write  unto  you,  little  children,  because  YE 
HAVE  KNOWN  THE  FATHER."  Glory  be  to 
Jesus!!  1  John  ii.  13.  That  is,  they  had  known  and 
seen  their  FATHER  JESUS.  Hallelujah! !  Their 
CREATOR,  and  MAKER,  and  KING,  and  their 


ARGUMENTS.       V  119 

ONLY  SAVIOUR  AND  REDEEMER,  even  "  the 
EVERLASTING  FATHER."     Isa.  ix.  6. 

17.  From  the  foregoing  explanation  of  the  person 
of  the  Eternal  Son,  it  must  be  obvious  to  all  who 
have  carefully  read  and  referred  to  the  texts  we 
have  -quoted,  that  we  believe  implicitly, 

18.  That  there  are  not  TWO  DISTINCT  NA- 
TURES IN  THE  PERSON  OF  Jesus,  Called  "the  Hy- 
postatical  union,^^  that  is,  one  human,  which  suf- 
fered, and  one  divine  which  did  not,  and  could  not 
suffer.  But  we  believe  the  divine  nature  of  "  GOD," 
John  i.  1,  became  a  very  man  by  ASSIMILATION 
with  the  body  he  derived  from  the  blessed  virgin 
Mary.  And  being  a  VERY  MAN,  he  was  therefore 
human  and  divine,  by  a  PERFECT  UNION,  assimi- 
lation and  identity  with  our  nature, 

19.  HE  often  spoke  like  one  of  us  men,  and  often 
asserted  his  supreme  and  only  prerogative  as  God. 

20.  He  saith,  "take  away  this  cup  from  me." 
Mark  xiv.  36.  "My  Father  is  greater  than  /." 
John  xiv.  28.  "I  can  do  nothing  of  myself,  but  as 
my  father  hath  taught  me,  I  speak  these  things." 
John  viii.  28. 

21.  These  expressions  show  his  *' humiliation" 
as  a  TRUE  and  very  man.  And  he,  therefore,  ut- 
tered these  expressions  just  in  the  same  manner  as 
w^E  MEN  UTTER  THEM,  before  himsclf,  the  TRUE 
GOD.  In  his  humiliation  his  judgment  was  taken 
"away,"  saith  the  Apostle,  Acts  viii.  33.  He  de- 
clares, "  learn  of  ME,  for  I  am  meek  and  lowly  in 
HEART,"  (Matt.  xi.  29.)  See  No.  30  of  Explana- 
tion— also,  Art.  VII.  Declaration  of  Faith. 

22.  And  then  again,  this  very  man  speaks  as. 
God.  HE  speaks  with  a  divine  and  supreme  au- 
thority, as  the  self-subsisting  God.  HE  declares, 
that  he  eternally ^  and  incessantly ^  without  any  inter- 


120  '       ARGUMENTS. 

mission,  governed,  sustained,  and  upheld  (even  at 
THAT  TIME,  whilst  he  was  IN  THE  flesh)  the  uni- 
verse which  HE  HIMSELF  CREATED.  He 
saith,  all  men  should  HONOR  the  SON  EVEN 
AS  THEY  HONOR  THE  FATHER. 

23.  Again  he  saith,  ''WHAT  THINGS  SO- 
EVER THE  FATHER  DOETH,  (cCrTHESE 
ALSO  DOETH  THE  SON  LIKEWISE."  John  v. 
19. e^  That  is,  when  the  Father  "created  the 
worlds,"  or  any  other  thing,  the  Son  ALSO  "CRE- 
ATED THE  WORLDS."  (Ji^-AND  THE  SAME 
THINGS  likewise.  Therefore,  Jesus  declares,  "all 

THINGS    that    THE    FaTHER    HATH  (it^-ARE  MINE."-$^ 

John  xvi.  15. 

24.  Therefore,  Saint  Paul  declares,  "  all  things 
were  made  hy  him  andyb/-  him,''''  Col.  i.  16.  He 
saith,  "Before  Abram  was  I  AM."  John  viii.  58. 
See  Ex.  iii.  14.  Again,  "THE  SON  OF  MAN 
shall  sit  on  the  THRONE  OF  HIS  GLORY." 
Matt.  XXV.  31.  That  is,  on  the  throne  of  "his 
OWN  glory."     Luke  ix.  26. 

25.  Again,  "As  the  Father  KNOWETH  ME, 
EVEN  SO  KNOW  I  the  Father;"  of  course  he  is 
as  old  as  the  Father. 

26.  The  Son  "  QUICKENETH  WHOM  HE 
WILL."  John  V.  21.  He  declares,  "  it  is  written 
in  the  Prophets,"  and   "  they  shall  be  all  taught 

OF  GOD,  EVERY  MAN,  THEREFORE,  that  HATH 
HEARD  and  HATH  LEARNED  OF  THE  FaTHER,  COM- 
ETH UNTO  ME."  John  vi.  45.  Herein  Jesus 
absolutely  declares  himself  to  be  God,  because  ALL 
who  hath  been  taught  of  God,  or  "hath  learned  of 
the  Father,''''  came  unto  him.  For  he  "was  God." 
John  i.  1,  14.  Therefore  Jesus  is  called  the  "  Lord 
God  of  the  Holy  Prophets."    See  Rev.  xxii.  6. 

27.  He  saith,  IF  I  with  the  (|#^FINGER  OF 


ARGUMENTS.  121 

GODc:^^  cast  out  devils.^'  (Luke  xi.  20,)  then  truly 
his  finger  was  God's  finger.  He  saith,  I  lay  down 
my  life  MYSELF,  NO  MAN  taketh  it  from  me. 

28.  He  permitted  the  grossest  indignities  to  be 
offered  to  his  divine  person,  and  gave  up  his  holy 
body  io  be  crucified  for  our  sakes ;  when  at  the  same 
time  he  could  have  commanded  legions  of  Angels, 
even  the  hosts  of  heaven,  to  annihilate  his  execu- 
tioners. Matt.  xxvi.  53. 

29.  He  died  groaning  in  agony,  yet,  being  God, 
PARDONED,  and  took  to  paradise  "THAT  DAY," 
the  penitent  thief  who  trusted  in  him.  LO!  "  THIS 
IS  OUR  GOD."     Hallelujah! 

30.  The  doctrine  that  this  DIVINE  man,  who 
thus  died  on  the  cross,  had  two  DISTINCT  na- 
tures, and  that  the  divine  nature  could  not  suffer^ 
sets  at  naught  the  words  of  Jesus,  and  makes  fool- 
ishness of  the  Scripture.  John  xvii.  5. 

31.  The  words  of  Jesus  are,  "  And  now,  0  Fa- 
ther, glorify  thou  me  with  thine  own  self,  with  tlie 
glory  which  (fj^l  HAD  with  thee  before  the  world 
was.^'' 

32.  According  to  this  hypostatical  invention  of 
two  distinct  natures  in  Jesus,  the  man  Jesus^  called 
by  them  the  humanity,  was  never  (as  they  maintain) 
in  eternity  with  the  Father,  or,  a  glorified  being 
*'  before  the  world  was^  How,  then,  could  he  thus 
pray  to  be  glorified  AGAIN }  with  that  which  they 
declare  he  NEVER  HAD,  namely,  they  say  he  never 
had  ^^glory  with  the  Father  before  the  world  was.'''' 
According  to  this  invention,  \\i\s  pctrt  could  not  thus 
pray. 

33.  And  if  the  "  divine  nature  COULD  NOT  BE 
BORN  of  the  Virgin  Mary,"  as  they  say,  and  as 
Adam  Clarke  asserts,  and  never  was  changed  to  be- 
come a  man,  how  could  IT  thus  pray  to  be  GLORI- 

11 


122  ARGUMENTS.  • 

FIED  AGAIN?  Because,  according  to  Dr.  Clarke, 
and  others,  IT  NEVER  WAS  CHANGED,  NEI- 
THER BORN;  and,  therefore^  laid  aside  nothing. 
In  either  case  it  is  an  impossibility,  according  to  this 
doctrine  of  two  distinct  natures.  For,  neither  the 
divine  nature,  nor  human  nature  which  they  speak 
of,  could  use  the  Lord's  Prayer.  John  xvii.  5.  Be- 
cause the  one  part  never  changed^  and  the  other  part 
never  existed,  they  say,  before  it  was  born  of  the 
blessed  Virgin  Mary,  much  less  "  before  the  world 
was.''''  This  doctrine  makes  absolute  foolishness  of 
the  Scriptures,  to  an  unbelieving  world. 

34.  We  believe  God,  the  eternal  Son,  "  came 
down  from  heaven,"  or,  as  he  more  plainly  de- 
clares, "  FORTH  FROM  THE  FATHER,"  (John 
xvi.  28,)  with  his  own  soul,  (Isa.  XLii.  1,)  even  his 
eternal  and  divine  ^'  Image,"  (Gen.  i.  26  ;)  and 
"  was  7nade  flesh,''''  and  became  a  true  and  very 
man,  by  a  perfect  union,  assimilation,  mixture,  and 
identity,  with  our  nature,  yet  holy,  and  without  sin. 

35.  And  thus  MADE  HIMSELF  "BY  HIM- 
SELF" A  TRUE  MAN:  For,  saith  the  Apostle, 
"though  he  WAS  RICH, yethe BECAME  POOR." 
2  Cor.  viii.  9. 

36.  And  for  this  reason,  JESUS,  the  eternal  Son, 
could  THUS  PRAY  to  be  glorified  AGAIN,  be- 
cause he  "  WAS  GOD,"  John  i.  1  ;  and  "  rich''  in 
glory  "  BEFORE  the  world  was.'''  And  as  he  be- 
came poor  by  assimilation  with  our  nature,  there 
was  then  a  necessity  of  a  re- glorification  of  his  holy 
body,  and  a  subjugation  oi  our  nature  from  the 
"  blessed"  Virgin  Mary,  into  the  substance  of  his  own 
holy,  eternal,  and  ''^divine  nature.'''  2  Pet.  i.  4.  This 
he  effected,  saith  the  Apostle,  "  according  to  the 
WORKING  whereby  he  is  able  to  subdue  all  things 
UNTO  HIMSELF."     See  Phil.  iii.  21.     Because 


•  ARGUMENTS.  123 

"with  God  all  things  are  possible;"  so  saith  Jesus. 
(Matt.  xix.  26;  Mark  x.  27.) 

37.  The  holy  body  of  Jesus  which  was  crucified, 
was  a  real  body  of  flesh  and  blood.  But  it  IS 
NOW  a  glorious  body,  upon  which  no  man  can 
look  and  live;  therefore,  when  Saint  John  saw  him, 
he  fell  at  his  feet  as  dead.  See  Rev.  i.  17,  18.  For 
he  could  not  "  SEE"  that  glorious  body  "  and  live." 
Exodus  xxxiii.  20.  And  although  Jesus  appeared 
after  his  resurrection  in  a  tactile  body  of  ^^Jiesh  and 
bones,^^  which  he  made  tangible  for  that  very  occa- 
sion, and  which  the  Apostles  were  called  upon  to 
"  handle,"  yet,  when  he  "  was  carried  up  to  hea- 
ven" after  eating  the  fish  and  honeycomb,"  (see 
Saint  Luke,  24th  chapter,  36th  to  52d  verse,)  he 
changed  his  body  into  the  ^^  glorious  body''''  in 
which  he  appeared  to  the  evangelist  on  the  Isle  of 
Patmos.  And,  saith  the  Apostle,  Philippians  iii. 
21,  *'The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  shall  change  our  vile 
body,  that  it  may  be  fashioned  like  unto  HIS  GLO- 
RIOUS BODY,  according  to  the  working  whereby 
he  is  able  even  to  SUBDUE  all  things  unto  HIM- 
SELF." 

38.  We  therefore  deplore  that  gross  unbelief 
which  would  hide,  or  veil  the  ^'■glorious''''  body  of 
Jesus,  by  insinuating  that  he  NOW  HAS  a  body  of 
"  flesh  and  bones,"  and  sits  or  stands  before  AN- 
OTHER GOD  in  an  unchanged  body,  pleading  for 
us.  And  further,  which  maintains  that  the  true  and 
living  God  "  is  ivithout  body  or  parts."  Whereas 
Saint  John  declares  JESUS'lS  THE  TRUE  GOD. 
John  V.  20.  And  Saint  Paul  and  the  evangelist 
declare  HIM  to  have  A  '^GLORIOUS  BODY." 
Phil.  iii.  21  ;  Rev.  i.  13-18.  See  page  108,  Arti- 
cle 23d,  of  this  book. 

39.  We  believe  the  eternal  SON,  even  JESUS, 


124  ARGUMENTS.  • 

became  man,  and  sufTered  and  died  for  us  by  a 
voluntary  and  free  act  of  his  own  mercy^  so  that 
the  "DIVINE  NATURE,"  thus  "made  flesh," 
might  EXPERIMENTALLY  KNOW  our  infirmi- 
ties, and  he  '^  able^^  through  this  mediatorial  office  to 
succor  us.  (Heb.  ii.  18.)  And  as  this  was  "  accord- 
ing to  the  Ct^-ETERNAL  PURPOSE,"  as  Saint 
Paul  testifies,  (Ephesiansiii.  11,)  itwas^Aere/bre  AN 
UNCHANGEABLE  PURPOSE;  thus,  God  never 
c/ia7?^e(i  his  purpose  when  he  became  man,  and  "took 
upon  him  the  FORM  of  a  servant."    Phil.  ii.  7. 

40.  Therefore,  when  the  "WORD  WAS  MADE 
FLESH,  and  dwelt  among  us''  (John  i.  14.)  HE 
the  ETERNAL  and  ONLY  begotten  SON,  was 
still ''m  HEAVEN,"  as  he  declared  to  Nicode- 
mus,  John  iii.  13 ;  for  heaven  is  "HIS  THRONE," 
(Isa.  Lxvi.  1,)  and  this  "throne"  is  EVERY- 
WHERE, EVEN  AS  JESUS  IS  EVERYWHERE. 
And  WHERE  IS  HE  NOT?  Because  Saint  Panl 
says,  that  "ALL  THINGS  CONSIST,"  Colossians 
i.  17,  or  are  kept  together^  and  sustained,  BY  I'HE 
"  DEAR  SON  ;"  see  the  I3th  verse.  And  it  is  a 
source  of  continual  adoration  and  praise  with  this 
church,  that  JESUS  "  THE  TRUE  GOD"  should 
condescend  to  suffer  as  WE  SUFFER,  and  re- 
ceive buffeting  and  abuse  from  the  creatures  he  had 
made,  so  that  we,  through  his  sufferings  and  un- 
merited mercy,  might  become  his  sons  by  the  Holy 
"Spirit  of  adoption."     Glory  to  his  name! 

41.  And  "God,"  being  "made FLESH,"  as  Saint 
John  testifies,  (John  i.  14,)  thus  introduced  him- 
self, through  his  immeasurable  love  and  condescen- 
sion, into  A  CAPACITY  FOR  SUFFERING,  OR  BECAME 
PASSIBLE. 

42.  And  thus  Jesus,  our  God,  even  the  "Al- 
mighty" Maker,  (for  "ALL  THINGS  were  made  by 


ARGUMENTS.  1£5 

^im,"  John  i.  3,)  actually  felt  all  our  infirmities,  and 
was  in  all  points  tempted  as  we  are,  (as  saith  the 
Apostle,)  yet  without  sin.  Heb.  iv.  15.  Therefore, 
as  Jesus  IS  "God,"  Saint  Paul  declares,  "the 
SECOND  MAN,  IS  the  Lord,  FROM  HEAVEN." 
1  Cor.  XV.  47. 

43.  We,  therefore,  wish  all  to  understand  us  dis- 
tinctly, that  the  MAN  JESUS  ''was''  and  IS  God, 

and  the  one  only  God.  And  that  GOD  DIED  by 
a  separation  of  his  spirit,  from  his  body,  as  all  mta 
naturally  die.  And  gave  up  his  body  to  the  sepul- 
chre until  the  third  day,  when  he  took  it  up  agam.^ 

44.  As  he  declared  to  Saint  John  on  the  Isle  of 
Patmos,  *'Fear  not;  I  am  the  First  and  the  Last:  1 
am  he  that  liveth,  and  was  dead,  and  behold !  1  am 
alive  for  evermore.  Amen."  Rev.  i.  17,  18.  See 
Isa.  XLiv.  6.  And  thus  "  GOD"  (as  Saint  Paul  de- 
clares, in  the  Holy  Ghost),  purchased  us  with  his 
OWN  BLOOD  shed  on  the  cross.  Acts  xx.  2S. 

45.  And  we  believe  this  divine  man,  Jesus  Christ 
of  Nazareth,  was,  as  the  Apostle  declares,  "with- 
out Father,  without  Mother,"  (according  to  the 
flesh,)  and  "  without  descent;  having  neither ^e^iV 
ning  of  days  nor  end  of  life,"  Hebrews  vi.  20,  vii. 
3.  Therefore,  as  Jesus  had  no  beginning,  he  must 
he  eternal^  being  ''the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and 
forever.'*''  Heb.  xiii.  8;  see  Heb.  i.  12. 

46.  And  we  believe  that  when  Jesus,  this  divine 
man,  cried  on  the  cross,  "My  God,  my  God,  why 
hast  thou  forsaken  me?"  he  felt,  and  cried  out,  just 
in  the  same  manner  as  all  truly  regenerated  persons 
feel  just  before  they  are  "born  again"  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  of  fire. 

47.  All  are  tempted  in  that  hour,  to  despair  of 
God's  mercy,  as  is  frequently  expressed  amongst 
those  who  have  passed  the  "  strait  gate,  and  nar- 


126  ARGUMENTS. 

row  way  into  life,"  through  the  new  birth.  They 
say  the  DARKEST  TIME  was  just  before  the  break 
of  (lay. 

48.  *' God  the  Word,"  even  Jesus,  having  be- 
come man,  and  having  submitted  himself  to  be 
"tempted  in  all  points  like  as  we  are,^^  must  also 
feel  this  last,  and  most  awful  temptation,  before  he 
consummated  our  redemption.  We,  therefore,  im- 
plicitly believe  that  this  divine  man,  called  "the 
Son  of  God"—"  the  Son  of  Man"— and  "  a  man"— 
who  was  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  and  called  Jesus  ; 
We  say,  THIS  MAN,  thus  born,  and  who  died  for  us 
on  Calvary,  (^"  IS  THE  TRUE  GOD  ;"^  so 
testifies  Saint  John,  (1  John  v.  20.) 

49.  And  this  Man  is  the  very  ETERNAL  SON, 
on  whom  this  church  is  founded,  even  Jehovah, 
the  eternal  "Rock  of  Ages,"  and  "Ancient  of 
days."  (Isa.  xxvi.  4.)    See  Psa.  Ixii.  2,  6,  7. 

50.  And  this  divine  Man,  (who  washed  his  dis- 
ciples' feet,  and  at  that  time  declared,  "  Ye  call  me 
Master  and  LORD  :  and  ye  say  well,  for  SO  I 
AM:")  this  MAN  is  omnipresent,  or  everywhere, 
just  as  he  was  before  he  "  was  manifested."  For 
by  him  all  things  CONSIST.   Col.  i.  17. 

51.  This  divine  man  IS  ALL  "GLORIOUS 
IN  HIS  APPAREL;"  ON  WHOM  NO  MAN  CAN 
LOOK  AND  LIVE;  (Rev.  i.  18,)  he  having  ''sub- 
dued unto  himself'^  the  '' veiV^  of  flesh  that  hid  his 
eternal  glory,  and  majesty.     See  Phil.  iii.  21. 

52.  And  it  is  this  Divine  Man,  even  JESUS 
"who  WAS  DEAD,"  and  who  washed  us  from  our 
sins  in  his  own  blood,  (Rev.  i.  5,)  whom  we 
w^orship!  We  worship  him  because  HE  IS  THE 
FATHER,  (John  xiv.  7;  Isa.  ix.  6,)  and  THE 
SON,  (Heb.  i.  6,)  AND  THE  HOLY  GHOST,  (2 


ARGUMENTS.  127 

Cor.    iii.    17.)      For    he    declares,    ^^ Besides   me 
there  is  no  God^  Isa.  xlIv.  6  ;  xmii.  10,  11. 

53.  We  worship  him  as  the  Apostles  worshiped 
him.  Matt,  xxviii.  9-17;  Luke  xxiv.  52.  And  as 
all  the  Angelical  hosts  worship  him^  (Heb.  i.  6.) 
And  as  all  the  "  redeemed^^  souls  of  men  worship  him. 
(Rev.  V.  8  to  14.)     So  we  worship  and  adore  him. 

54.  Because  he  hath,  in  his  infinite  mercy,  re- 
deemed  our  souls,  and  introduced  our  souls  INTO 
HIS  OWN  KINGDOM,  EVEN  "THE  KINGDOM 
OF  GOD  WITHIN"  US,  as  he  declared,  (irf="THE 
KINGDOM  OF  GOD  IS  WITHIN  Y0U."c4)§ 
Luke  xvii,  21. 

55.  Which  the  x4postle  testifies  is  "peace  and 
JOY  in  the  Holy  Ghost."  Rom.  xiv.  17. 

56.  We  worship  him  because  he  is  our  ONLY 
RIGHTEOUSNESS,  Jer.  xxxiii.  16;  1  Cor.  i. 
30;  and  our  ONLY  JOY— our  ONLY  COMFORT. 

57.  And  we  worship  him,  our  holy  and  "  Al- 
mighty" Redeemer,  Rev.  i.  8,  because  of  the  gift 
of  his  holy  and  ^^  perfect  love,^^  which  is  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  true  comforter ;  and  which,  during  his 
heavenly  visitations,  fills  our  souls  to  overflowing. 
And  we  "REJOICE  WITH  JOY  UNSPEAK- 
ABLE, AND  FULL  OF  GLORY."   1  Peter  i.  8. 

58.  We  then  worship  and  ADORE  Jesus  the 
LAMB  Almighty,  from  his  OWN  holy  and  divine 
impulses.     Glory  be  to  his  holy  name! 

59.  And  when  Jesus  \s  joy  folly  triumphant  in  our 
souls,  and  is  thus  ^'-passing  by''^  as  a  ^^  rushing, 
mighty  wind,^^  Acts  ii.  2,  his  truly  regenerated 
children  who  have  been  baptized  with  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  with  fire,  are  ^^fllled  loith  the  Holy 
Ghost.''  Actsiv.  31. 

60.  "And  in  the  fullness  of  the  blessing,"  we  can 
"  CRY  OUT  AND  SHOUT"  as  the  "Lord  Jeho- 


128  ARGUMENTS. 

vah"  hath  commanded  us  ;  his  declaration  is,  "  cry 
OUT  AND  SHOUT,  thou  inhabitant  o(  ZIO^ ^  for  great 
is  the  HOLY  ONE  in  the  MIDST  OF  THEE. 
Hallelujah."  See  the  12th  chapter  of  Isaiah,  1st  to 
6th  verse. 

61.  And  at  such  seasons  it  is  just  as  it  was,  when 
Jesus  was  passing  by  at  his  '*  descent  of  the  Mount 
of  Olives,"  for  then  "  the  whole  multitude  of  the 
DISCIPLES"  (it  is  recorded) ''  began  to  REJOICE 
and  PRAISE  GOD  WITH  A  LOUD  VOICE." 

62.  And  Jesus  declared  to  the  Pharisees^  as  we 
say  to  THEM  NOW,  ''  I  TELL  YOU  IF  THESE 
SHOULD  HOLD  THEIR  PEACE,  THE  STONES 
WOULD  IMMEDIATELY  CRY  OUT."  Luke 
xix.  37,  38,  39,  40.  See  the  Prophecy  of  Zech. 
ix.  9. 

63.  And  we  can  then^  when  the  Holy  Ghost  is 
triumphant  in  us,  with  a  FULL  HEART  WOR- 
SHIP JESUS  OUR  "  LORD  AND  OUR  GOD." 
John  XX.  28.  And  with  David  and  Saint  Paul,  ex- 
claim with  rapture  J  thanksgiving  and  praise!  "UN- 
TO THE  SON."     (See  particularly  Heb.  i.  8.) 

64.  "THY  THRONE,  0  GOD  !  is  for  ever  and 
eyer.'.'.'"  "And  there  is  no  God  else,  besides 
(thee)  a  just  God  and  a  SAVIOUR,  there  is  NONE 
ELSE."  Isaiah  XLV.  21  to  23. 

65.  "  Neither  is  there  salvation  in  any  other. 
For  there  is  (Ji^none  other  name  under  heaven 
given  among  men  whereby  we  must  be  saved, "-^) 
but  thy  own  holy  name,  which  is  JESUS.  Acts  iv.  12. 

66.  For  there  is  no  LIGHT,  and  no  truth,  and 
no  life  besides  THEE,  and  to  THEE,  0  LORD 
JESUS !  ALONE  BELONGS. 

67.  Honor  and  glory,  John  v.  23  ;  might  and 
majesty,  Matt,  xxviii.  18;  2  Pet.  i.  16  ;  riches  and 
wisdom,  Col.  ii,  3;  omnipotence  (1  Tim.  vi.  15), 


ARGUMENTS.  129 

and  Omniscience,  (John  xvi.  30,  31  ;)  Omnipresence 
(John  i.  48)  and  eternal  dominion  (1   Pet.  i 7.  11), 

NOW,  HENCEFORTH,  AND  FOREVER !      RcV.  i.  6  ;  ReV. 

V.  13. 

68.  And  we  can  bless  thee,  0  LORD  JESUS,  in 
the  language  of  David,  recorded  1  Chron.  xxix.  10, 
11,  12,  and  say,  "Blessed  be  thou  Lord  God  of  Is- 
rael, (#-(Rev.  xxii.  6)  our  Father  for  ever  and 
ever."  (John  xiv.  7;   1  John  ii.  11;  Isa.  ix.  6.) 

69.  "Thine,  O  Lord,  is  the  GREATNESS,  (1 
Tim.  vi.  15,)  and  the  POWER,  (Matt,  xxviii.  18,) 
and  the  GLORY,  (Rev.  xxi.  23,)  and  the  VIC- 
TORY, (Matt.  xii.  20,)  and  the  MAJESTY,  (2  Pet. 
i.  16  ;)  AND  ALL  THAT  IS  IN  the  HEAVEN 
AND  IN  THE  EARTH,  IS  THINE."  Col.  i.  16  ;  Heb. 
i.  2;  John  iii.  35,  xvi.  15;  Matt.  xi.  27;  Rev.  i.  18. 

70.  "  Thine  is  the  Kingdom,  (Luke  i.  33,)  O 
LORD  !  and  thou  'art  exalted  as  HEAD  ABOVE 
ALL."  Col.  ii.  9,  10;  Rev.  xxi.  9-23. 

71.  "Both  RICHES  and  honor  come  of  Thee, 
and  THOU  REIGNEST  OVER  ALL."  Luke  i. 
33;  Heb.  i.  8;  Rev.  xi.  15. 

72.  For  thou  ONLY,  LORD  JESUS,  art  our 
"WAY,"  our  "TRUTH,"  our  "LIFE,"  and 
"OUR  GOD,"  HENCEFORTH  AND  FOR- 
EVER!    HALLELUJAH! 

73.  From  number  68  to  number  72  we  have 
quoted  the  thanksgiving  and  praise  of  King  David, 
which  we  have  interspersed  with  references  to  the 
New  Testament.  These  references  prove  that  the 
"  LORD  GOD  of  Israel,''  spoken  of  by  David,  and 
JESUS,  ''the  LORD  GOD  of  the  holy  Prophets,'' 
who  spoke  to  Saint  John,  see  Rev.  xxii.  6,  are  one 
and  the  same  divine  person.  And  we  earnestly 
solicit  the  reader  to  refer  to  them.  Glory  be  to 
Jesus  for  ever  and  ever!     Amen. 


PART  THIRD. 


CHAPTER  I. 

ON  THE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

1.  Our  blessed  Lord  has  laid  us  a  foundation  for 
a  church.  He  has  laid  it  in  great  simplicity ;  and 
gives  us  authority  to  commence  with  a  very  limited 
number.  He  encourages  us  by  saying,  "For  where 
TWO  OR  THREE  are  gathered  together  (^IN 
MY  NAME,"^  {the  name  0/ Jem^,)  "  THERE 
AM  I  in  the  MIDST  OF  THEM."  (See  Matt, 
xviii.  20;  1  Cor.  v.  4;  Luke  xxiv.  36.)  This  is  the 
belief  of  this  church. 

2.  And  we,  therefore,  recognize  any  three  re- 
generated individuals,  who  are  "  horn  again,"^^  by 
the  baptism  of  ''the  Holy  Ghost,  and  with  fire," 
and  who  embrace  the  Doctrines  and  Faith  of  this 
Church,  as  declared  in  this  our  Church  Book — (that 
is,  in  the  Introduction,  Address,  Title,  and  explana- 
tion of  the  title,  together  with  the  several  articles  of 
faith  and  principles  as  laid  down  therein.) 

3.  As  an  INCEPTIVE  organization  of  a  branch 
of  this  church.  And  they  shall  have  authority  to 
perform  all  the  spiritual  duties  of  larger  congrega- 
tions. That  is,  to  preach,  to  pray,  and  exhort  like 
them ;  and  may  add  (according  to  discipline)  to 
their  number,  such  as  are  converted  (by  them  as 
instruments),  or  may  apply  for  membership  out  of 
other  churches. 


ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHURCH.        131 

4.  When  they  reach  the  number  of  THIRTEEN 
MALE  MEMBERS,  they  shall  have  authority  to 
organize  into  an  official  branch  of  this  church,  by 
appointing  two  overseers,  a  clerk,  &c.  And  they 
shall  report  said  organization  to  the  monthly,  or 
quarterly  meetings  within  their  district,  when  such 
meetinofs  exist. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  CHIEF  PRESIDING  OVERSEER,  OR 
ELDER. 

1.  This  church  shall  be  primarily  directed  by  a 
chief  "OVERSEER,"  called  the  CHIEF  PRE- 
SIDING ELDER. 

2.  His  authority  shall  extend  over  the  country 
or  nation  in  which  he  lives,  (and  of  which  he  must 
he  a  citizen,  native  born,)  but  shall  never  extend 
beyond  the  same.  He  shall  have  no  temporal 
power.     His  oversight  being  purely  spiritual. 

3.  He  shall  have  a  continual  eye  to  the  churches 
over  which  he  presides,  so  as  to  promote  love,  and 
harmony  amongst  the  members,  and  to  SEE  that 
each,  and  every  church,  are  in  the  FULL  SUP- 
port of  the  doctrines  of  the  church  of  the 
Eternal  Son. 

4.  Each  State,  Province,  or  District  or  Territory, 
shall  also  have  an  Overseer,  or  Presiding  Elder,  who 
shall  have  the  oversight  of  the  churches  in  the  state 
or  district  under  his  care. 

5.  V^hose power ,  also,  shall  be  spiritual,  and,  like 
that  of  the  Chief  Elder,  shall  not  interfere  with  the 
secular,  or  the  particular  business  organization  of 


132       ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

any  church,  or  its  property.  He  shall  have  no 
power  to  appoint  to  office,  nor  to  remove  from  office 
or  membership,  but  shall  bring  the  offender  to  trial, 
before  the  particular  church  of  which  the  delinquent 
may  be  a  member,  who  shall  be  duly  notified 
thereof. 

6.  Each  church  shall  govern  its  own  affiiirs,  by 
a  vote  of  a  majority  of  the  male  members  thereof; 
and  shall  each  regulate  their  spiritual  and  secular 
affairs  in  love  and  peace. 

7.  And  the  Overseers  are  exhorted  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Apostle,  recorded  in  Acts  xx.  28: 
"  Take    heed    unto    yourselves,    and    to    all    the 

flock,  over  the  which  the  Holy  Ghost  hath  made  you 
OVERSEERS,  to  FEED  the  Church  of  God,  which 
he  hath  PURCHASED  with  HIS  OWN  BLOOD." 
According  to  the  commandment  of  our  Lord  after 
his  resurrection.  "  Feed  my  Sheep."  "  Feed  my 
Lambs."  John  xxi.  15-17.  That  is,  with  the 
"BREAD  OF  LIFE  which  I  shall  give  you." 

8.  I  am  THAT  "Bread  of  life,"  (saith  Jesus.) 
John  vi.  48. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  QUALIFICATION  OF  THE  CHIEF  EL- 
DER  OR  OVERSEER. 

1.  The  Chief  Elder  must  have  a  "full  as- 
surance" (see  Heb.  vi.  11,  and  x.  22),  that  he  has 
been  REGENERATED,  or  has  "  PASSED  FROM 
DEATH  UNTO  LIFE."  John  v.  24.  And  as  a 
testimony  thereof,  must  have  LIVING  witness,  who 
have  been  converted  by  his  immediate  instrument- 


ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHURCH.       133 

ality,  that  he  has  the  POWER  OF  THE  HOLY 
GHOST,  to  the  CONVERSION  OF  SOULS. 

By  showing  such  ^^  spintualji'uit,^^  hewill  prove 
himself  a  "WORKMAN,"  endowed  ^^ with  power 
from  on  Jiigh.'^^ 

2.  He  must  "KNOW"  and  "HEAR"  THE 
VOICE  OF  JESUS,  and  FOLLOW^  HIM  as  if 
"YOKED  WITH  HIM;"  see  Matt.  xi.  29,  30;  he 
Avill  THEN  be  able  to  GIVE  COUNSEL  FROM 
THE  IMMEDIATE  TESTIMONY  OF  THE  HOLY 
GHOST,  and  will  be  able  to  say,  THE  LORD 
SAITH  "  YEA,"  or  the  Lord  saith  "NAY,"  which  is 
wisdom. 

He  must  evince  by  his  li/e,  conversation,  and 
gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  he  has  received  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

3.  He  will  then  have  the  spirit  of  love,  THE 
"  Comforter, ^^  and  will  know  how  to  comfort  mourn- 
ers, and  reclaim  the  wanderer.  He  will  be  a  true 
physician,  and  by  faith  in  the  counsel  of  Jesus,  can 
help  the  afflicted  in  body,  and  in  mind;  and  admi- 
nister consolation  to  the  sick  and  dying  in  the  hour 
of  trial. 

4.  His  office  is  an  office  of  mercy. 

5.  And  yet,  it  shall  be  his  duty,  in  overseeing  the 
churches,  to  WATCH  with  an  eye  single  to  the  glory 
of  the  Lord  Jesus;  that  all  our  written  doctrines 
are  strictly  ?ind  faithfully  maintained,  by  the  district 
elders,  and  the  ministers,  and  helps,  and  members 
under  their  charge.  So  that  all  the  churches,  and 
the  inceptive  organizations,  may  be  "OF  ONE 
HEART,  AND  OF  ONE  SOUL,"  as  in  the  days  of 
the  Apostles.  See  Acts  iv.  32. 

6.  We  say  "written  doctrines,"  because  we  al- 
low no  "  tradition^^  to  govern  thi^church,  or  any  of 


134       ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

its  members,  according  to  the  saying  of  Jesus  him- 
self. Mark  vii.  13. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

DURATION    OF     OFFICE    OF     THE    OVER- 
SEERS.    RESIGNATIONS,  &c. 

5.  He  shall  hold  his  office  for  the  term  of  ten 
years,  and  may  be  elected  for  other  terms,  if  a  majo- 
rity of  the  churches  in  the  country  so  require  it.  He 
may  be  removed  from  office,  if  he  depart  from  our 
written  doctrines,  or  become  disqualified  by  tempta- 
tions, or  hifirmities,  from  fulfdling  the  duties  of  Chief 
Elder. 

6.  This  shall  be  done  by  three  delegates  from 
each  and  all  the  quarterly  meetings,  in  the  nation 
or  country,  and  the  Presiding  Elder  of  each  state. 
But  before  such  a  motion  can  take  place,  the  charges 
must  be  set  forth  in  writing,  by  at  least  three  pre- 
siding overseers  or  elders,  and  the  quarterly  meetings 
in  three  districts  or  states.  When  the  delegates  are 
organized,  the  accused  shall  be  allowed  proper  time 
to  make  his  defence,  and  it  will  require  a  majority 
of  two-thirds,  to  remove  the  chief  Overseer  or  Elder. 

7.  Each  state  elder  shall  be  tried  for  delinquencies 
in  like  manner,  by  a  convention  of  three  delegates 
from  each  quarterly  meeting  of  the  state  over  w^hich 
he  presides,  ^dioh.  particular  church  shall  regulate 
its  own  internal  affairs,  according  to  the  rules  of  this 
our  church  book. 

8.  The  chief  overseer  may  resign  his  office  as 
overseer,  but  mus*  give  at  least  six  months'^  notice, 
of  his  intentions,  by  sending  a  circular  {explaining 


ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHURCH.       135 

his  motives  for  so  doing),  to  each  state  or  district 
overseer.  It  shall  be  the  duty  then  of  the  state 
overseers,  to  inform  the  quarterly  meetings  of  their 
respective  districts,  of  the  intended  resignation  of 
the  chief  overseer. 

9.  Each  quarterly  meeting  shall  then  appoint 
three  delegates,  who,  together  ivith  all  the  state  elders, 
shall  meet  in  convention,  and  proceed  to  elect  by 
ballot,  three  CANDIDATES  for  the  office  of  Chief 
Overseer,  and  from  those  candidates,  shall  elect  ONE 
Overseer,  according  to  the  rules  laid  down ;  who 
shall  be  the  chief  overseer  or  elder  elect,  of  all  the 
churches  in  the  country  or  nation  as  aforesaid.  He 
shall  then  be  questioned  by  the  twenty-eight  ques- 
tions, and  shall  be  regularly  ordained  and  appointed 
according  to  discipline. 

10.  The  state  elders  may  also  resign  their  office, 
by  giving  six  months'  notice  of  their  intentions  by 
circulars,  to  the  quarterly  meetings  of  the  state. 

11.  Each  quarter  shall  then  appoint  three  dele- 
gates to  meet  in  a  statje  convention,  who  shall  elect 
from  the  three  highest  candidates  chosen,  a  state 
elder  or  overseer,  according  to  the  rules  prescribed 
for  the  election  of  a  chief  overseer.  And  he  shall 
be  questioned  by  the  twenty-eight  questions,  and 
confirmed,  or  ordained,  and  appointed,  according  to 
discipline. 

12.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  chief  overseer  (if 
possible),  to  preside  at  all  times  at  the  immediate 
ceremony  of  the  confirmation  of  his  successor  in 
office  ;  but  he  shall  have  no  vote,  or  voice  in  the 
convention  for  the  election  of  his  successor.  He 
shall  also  preside  at  the  confirmation  o^  a  state  over- 
seer, but  shall  have  no  voice  in  the  proceedings  of 
the  convention. 

13.  The  confirmation  of  a  chief,  or  state  overseer. 


136       ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

shall  be  by  the  imposition,  or  "  laying  on  of  the 
hands''''  of  the  overseers,  or  of  the  ministers,  or  of 
the  spiritual,  and  gifted  members  present;  because, 
any  living  member^  who  has  the  Holy  Ghost,  may 
by  faith,  communicate  to  a  proper  recipient  the  same 
spirit.  See  Acts  viii.  17.  1  Tim.  iv.  14.  More- 
over, in  this  church,  "ONE"  is  our  Lord  and  "Mas- 
ter, even  "JESUS  CHRIST,  and  all  we  are  Bre- 
thren.^'' Matt,  xxiii.  8. 


CHAPTER  V. 

MEETINGS  OF  BUSINESS. 

1.  There  shall  be  a  GENERAL  CONFERENCE 
once  a  year,  of  all  the  churches  in  the  country. 
And  a  state  CONFERENCE  once  a  year,  of  all  the 
churches  in  each  state,  to  be  represented  by  dele- 
gates, sent  from  each  quarterly  meeting. 

2.  These  delegates  shall  be  composed  of  two  or 
three  persons ;  but  each  quarterly  meeting  shall 
send  an  equal  number  of  delegates,  the  number  of 
which  shall  be  determined  by  the  general  and 
state  conferences,  as  the  state  of  the  church  may 
require. 

3.  The  chief  elder  of  the  country  shall  preside 
over  the  general  conference,  if  present. 

4.  The  presiding  elder  of  each  state  shall  be 
one  of  the  delegates  from  the  states,  to  the  general 
conference.  And  the  presiding  elder  or  overseer 
of  the  state,  shall  preside  over  the  state  conference 
if  possible. 

5.  In  each  section  in  the  states,  there  shall  be 
held  a  QUARTERLY  MEETING.     And  in  each 


ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHURCH.  137 

quarterly  meeting  section,  one  or   more    monthly- 
meetings  shall  be  held. 

6.  The  quarterly  and  monthly  meetings  SHALL 
NOT  be  composed  of  delegates,  but  shall  BE  COM- 
POSED OF  THE  MEMBERS  GENERALLY ;  ANT) 
THIS  CLAUSE  SHALL  NOT  BE  ALTERED, 
NOR  AMENDED. 

7.  Each  quarterly  and  monthly  meeting  shall  ap- 
point its  own  officers  ;  the  highest  of  which  shall  be 
a  chief  clerk  and  assistant.  They  shall  see  that  all 
the  transactions  of  the  church  are  properly  recorded. 

8.  The  quarterly  and  monthly  meetings  being 
thus  conducted,  by  a  vote  of  the  WHOLE  OF  THE 
MEIVIBERS  THEREOF:  The  DELEGATES  to 
the  national  and  state  conferences  will  always  be 
chosen  by  the  GOSPEL  RULE  oi  perfect  ^equality  in 
the  members  of  this  church,  who  will  thus  have  a 
DIRECT  VOICE  in  the  state  and  national  con- 
ferences. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

ELECTION    AND    CONFIRMATION  OF    THE 
CHIEF  PRESIDING  OVERSEER  OR  ELDER. 

1.  The  election  and  confirmation  of  the  Chief 
Presiding  Overseer  or  Elder  shall  be  done  by  a 
CONVENTION  OF  DELEGATES  from  EACH 
QUARTERLY  MEETING  throughout  the  nation, 
or  country,  over  which  he  is  to  preside. 

2.  Each  quarterly  meeting,  in  each  state,  depart- 
ment, or  district,  shall  elect  for  this  purpose  THREE 
DELEGATES,  from  amongst  their  body,  (the  ages 
of  which  shall  not  be  under  twenty-one  years.) 

21 


138       ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

3.  They  shall  be  men  of  wisdom  and  faith,  but 
in  no  case  shall  an  overseer  of  a  particular  church 
be  elected  a  delegate. 

4.  The  delegates  thus  elected,  shall  meet  in  con- 
vention together,  with  each  state  overseer,  or  elder, 
who  shall  always  be  one  of  the  delegates  to  these 
conventions.  They  shall  meet  at  some  central  point, 
and  there  shall  organize,  temporarily,  by  appointing 
a  chairman,  and  a  clerk  or  secretary,  pro  tern.;  and 
shall  proceed  to  call  over  the  names  of  the  delegates 
from  the  quarterly  meetings,  by  states,  in  rotation, 
beginning  with  the  state  elder  of  each  ; — which 
proceeding,  with  the  names  of  the  delegates,  the 
clerks  shall  carefully  record.  When  this  is  done, 
the  convention  shall  organize  by  electing  a  Chair- 
man and  a  Clerk  hy  ballot,  for  the  entire  sitting  of 
the  convention.  The  clerk  and  assistants  shall 
make  a  faithful  record  of  all  the  proceedings,  which 
proceedings  shall  be  taken  charge  of  by  a  commit- 
tee, appointed  for  that  purpose,  whose  duty  it  shall 
be  to  deliver  this  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
convention,  to  the  next  general  conference,  to  be 
carefully  preserved  by  that  body. 

5.  When  the  convention  is  fully  organized,  it 
shall  proceed,  viva  voce,  to  nominate  candidates  for 
the  office  of  chief  overseer. 

6.  When  the  nomination  has  ceased,  the  conven- 
tion shall  appoint  tellers,  and  then  proceed  to  ballot 
viva  voce,  or,  by  each  member  rising  in  his  seat,  and 
naming  aloud  the  candidate  of  his  choice. 

7.  When  all  have  faithfully  voted,  (for  all  shall, 
or  must  vote,)  then  the  tellers  shall  proceed  to  count 
off  the  votes  for  each  candidate.  And  the  names  of 
those  candidates  having  the  three  highest  number  of 
votes  on  the  first  ballot,  shall  be  the  three  candi- 
dates for  chief  overseer. 


ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHURCH.       139 

8.  The  names  of  these  being  duly  announced 
from  the  chair,  the  convention  shall  then  proceed  to 
the  final  election;  and  in  like  manner,  (viva  voce,) 
vote  for  chief  overseer ;  when  the  candidate  from 
amongst  the  three,  who  has  received  the  largest 
number  of  votes,  (which  shall  always  be  a  majority 
of  those  present,  or  over  one-half  of  the  members 
present,)  shall  be  the  chief  presiding  overseer,  or 
elder  elect.  For  the  election  of  state  elders,  see 
Chapter  Vllth. 

9.  The  election  being  over,  the  convention  shall 
adjourn  for  a  short  season,  and  at  its  next  sitting, 
(which  shall  always  be  PUBLIC,  or  with  open  doors,) 
the  convention  shall  propose  to  the  Overseer  elect, 
the  following  questions. 

10.  JVote. — These  questions  shall  also  be  proposed 
to  the  state  overseers  elect.  Also  to  such  of  our 
ministers,  who  feel  themselves  called  of  God  to  go 
forth  as  traveling  preachers,  in  the  holy  calling  of 
promulgating  the  GOSPEL  0/ JESUS,  the  SON  OE 
GOD ;  or  to  those  who  may  desire  to  make  transient 
visits  to  distant  parts. 


QUESTIONS. 


FIRST  QUESTION. 

THE  HOLY  TRINITY. 

1.  Brother,  do  you  believe  in  the  HOLY  TRIN- 
ITY— the  Eternal  Father,  the  Eternal  Son,  and 
the  Eternal  Holy  Ghost  ? — that  is,  in  three  divine 


140  QUESTIONS. 

PERSONS ;   and  yet  NOT  THREE  SEPARATE 
OR  DISTINCT  divine  IMAGES. 

2.  Because  the  Lord  Jesus  EXPRESSLY,  or  in 
DIRECT  TERMS,  tclls  liis  Apostles,  that  HE  HIM- 
SELF is  the  VERY  "FATHER  ALSO,"  personal- 
ly amongst  them ;  and  that  they  who  saio  HIM, 
^SAW  AND  KNEW^  THE  FATHER.  He 
therefore  saith  to  Philip,  ''And  HOW  SAITH 
THOU  then,  show  us  the  Father?"    John  xiv.  9. 

3.  This,  brother,  you  believe?  (to  these  interroga- 
tions he  shall  assent,  by  raising  his  hand.)  And, 
therefore,  you  can  call  JESUS  your  FATHER ;  be- 
cause  he  declared  he  was  the  "Father  also."  John 
xiv.  7.  And  he  saith,  "  he  that  seeth  ME,  seeth  him 
that  sent  me."  John  xii.  45.  And  you  believe,  that 
Jesus  did  not  mean  by  the  w^ords  "  he  that  seeth  me, 
seeth  him  that  sent  me,"  that  he  was  the  father  re- 
presentative or  vicar ;  but  you  believe  he  meant  that 
he  was  the  very  father  himself,  in  "  Person,  Shape, 
and  Image."  And  that,  "besides,"  or  apart  from 
himself,  there  w^as  no  God  in  heaven,  or  in  earth, 
as  he  declared:  "Is  there  a  God  besides  me? 
Yea,  there  is  no  God,  I  know  not  any.'''*  Isa.  xLiv. 
6,  7,  8.  "I  and  my  Father  ARE  ONE."  John  x. 
30.  "I  am  the  first  and  the  last,"  Rev.  i.  17, 
"even  the  son  of  man  which  is  in  heaven."  John 
iii.  13. 

4.  And  you  call  Jesus  your  Father,  because  you 
FEEL  you  are  his  son  by  the  ^^  spirit  of  adoption ;^^ 
and  because  he  is  your  MAKER,  John  i.  3,  and 
h?is  purchased  you,  and  ^^  washed  (yon)  in  his  own 
blood;"  Rev.  i.  5.  And  declares  of  him  that 
*' overcometh,''  "I  will  be  HIS  GOD,  and  he  shall 
be  MY  SON."  Rev.  xxi.  7. 

5.  Are  you  so  persuaded?  And  do  you  thus 
believe?     To  which  interrogation,  at  the  END  of 


QUESTIONS.  141 

each  question,  and  all  that  follow,  the  person  ques- 
tioned shall  answer  in  an  audible  voice,  so  as  to 
be  heard  by  the  audience,  "  /  am  so  persuaded,'''' 
and  "  /  do  thus  believe  without  any  reservation.^^ 


SECOND  QUESTION, 

JESUS,  THE  ONE  ONLY  GOD. 

1.  Brother,  Saint  Paul  testifies,  that  Jesus  is 
"  the  EXPRESS  IMAGE"  of  the  Father's  "  PER- 
SON," and  that  "  all  the  angels  of  God  WORSHIP 
HIM." 

2.  But  the  record  of  the  Apostle,  which  is  most 
glorious,  is,  "unto  THE  SON  he  saith,  thy  throne, 
O  GOD,  is  forever  and  ever."  See  Heb.  i.  2,  3, 
6-8. 

3.  Saint  Paul,  in  these  texts,  declares,  that  '*  THE 
SON  IS  GOD,  and  that  the  throne  of  the  Son  is  for- 
ever and  ever.'*'' 

4.  Again,  Saint  Paul  declares,  that  "JESUS  is 
without  BEGINNING  of  days''  or  ''end  of  life.'' 
Heb.  vi.  20,  and  vii.  3. 

5.  Jesus  is,  therefore,  ETERNAL,  or  without 
^*  beginning." 

6.  Saint  John  declares,  "  And  we  have  seen,  and 
do  testify,  that  the  Father  sent  THE  SON  to  he 
THE  SAVIOUR  of  the  world."  See  1  John  iv.  14. 
Brother,  this  is  also  declared  in  many  other  Scrip- 
tures. See  Saint  Luke,  ii.  11  ;  John  iv.  25,  26-42; 
2  Tim.  i.  10 ;  Titus  i.  4,  and  iii.  6  ;  2  Peter  i.  11, 
and  iii.  2. 

7.  From  these  holy  records,  it  is  irrefragahly  true, 
that "  THE  SON  IS  THE  SAVIOUR  of  the  world." 


142  QUESTIONS. 

And,  therefore,  the  God  of  Isaiah  the  Prophet,  de- 
clares, BEFORE  me  there  was  no  GOD  FORMED, 
neither  shall  there  he  AFTER  me;  I,  even  I,  am  the 
Lord,  and  BESIDES  ME  there  is  NO  SAVIOUR 

8.  Brother,  in  these  texts  the  God  of  Isaiah  de- 
clares positively,  that  there  was  no  God  formed 
before  him,  neither  would  there  be  after  him.  And 
he  assures  us,  he  "IS  THE  LORD,"  and  that 
separate  from  him,  or  besides  him,  there  is  no  Sa- 
viour. Besides  me,  saith  he,  there  is  NO  SA- 
VIOUR ! 

9.  Therefore,  brother,  as  JESUS  is  positively  de- 
clared, in  so  many  texts,  to  be  the  Saviour,  he  must 
of  necessity  be  the  God  of  Isaiah,  for  there  is  NO 
Saviour  besides  hirn,  and  consequently,  Jesus  is  the 
ONLY  GOD. 

10.  Jesus,  therefore,  declares  himself  TO  BE 
'*  the  Lord  God  of  the  Holy  Prophets.'^^  See  par- 
ticularly, Rev.  i.  6, 13,  16,  he  being  the  same  divine 
"PERSON"  the  Apostles  and  all  the  holy  angels 
worshipped,  even  Jesus  the  eternal  So7i  of  God. 

12.  And  you  believe,  that  those  who  deny  this 
doctrine  to  be  true,  deny  at  once  that  Jesus  is  the 
Saviour.  And  they  deny  "the  true  God,  and  eter- 
nal life"  which  he  is.     Are  you  so  persuaded,  &c. 


THIRD  QUESTION. 

HIS  ETERNITY. 

1.  Brother,  you  believe  that  the  SON  of  God 
the  Father  is  of  EQUAL  ETERNITY  WITH  THE 
FATHER,  and  was  begotten  AS  A  SON  from  ALL 
ETERNITY,  and  IMMEDIATELY  and  CONTINU- 
ATELY,   or    uninterruptedly,   WITH    THE    FA- 


QUESTIONS.  143 

THER'S  OWN  EXISTENCE;  and  at  the  same 
ETERNAL  INSTANT.  And  you  believe  he  bore 
the  same  relation  to  the  Father,  as  a  Son,  FROM  ALL 
ETERNITY,  that  he  DID  BEAR  whilst  IN  THE 
FLESH  AT  JERUSALEM.     Do  you  thus  believe  ? 

2.  And  further,  you  believe  the  Scriptures,  that  the 
SOUL  OF  JESUS  the  SON,  "  THE  SON  OF  MAN," 
and  SON  OF  GOD,  even  "THE  MAN"  WHO 
WAS  CRUCIFIED,  who  suffered,  hied,  and  groaned 
on  Mount  Calvary— you  BELIEVE  THE  SOUL  OF 
THIS  MAN  PRE-EXISTED  IN  ETERNITY,  that 
is,  existed  BEFORE  he  came  down  from  Heaven  ; 
as  he  declares  to  Isaiah.  Isa.  xLii.  1. 

3.  Because  he,  the  Lord  Jesus  himself,  DENIES 
any  LINEAGE  OR  DESCENT.  Speaking  to  the 
Sadducees,  he  says,  "  HOW  SAY  THEY  THAT 
CHRIST  IS  DAVID'S  SON?" —  "  DAVID— 
(jit^CALLETH  HIM  LORD,e#0  HOW  IS  HE 
THEN  his  SON?"  Luke  xx.  41,  42,  43,  44.  To 
w^hich  TRUTH,  we,  as  a  church,  respond,  and  say 
it  is  impossible.  Saint  Paul  testifies,  in  the  Epistle 
to  the  Hebrews,  that  "Jesus  was  WITHOUT  FA- 
THER, and  WITHOUT  MOTHER,  WITHOUT 
DESCENT,  according  to  the  flesh,  having  neither 
BEGINNING  of  DAYS,  nor  END  of  life;"  Heb. 
vi.  20;  vii.  3;  being  the  SELF-EXISTING,  and 
ETERNAL  ONE.  Then,  brother,  because  he  had 
no  "beginning  of  days,"  you  believe  HIS  SOUL 
COULD  NOT  BE  OF  TIME. 

4.  But  you  believe  this  pre-existence  of  the  soul 
of  the  Man  Christ  Jesus,  according  to  HIS  OWN 
declaration  to  Isaiah  the  Prophet,  chapter  forty- 
second,  verse  the  first.  JESUS  THE  "  FIRST  AND 
THE  LAST,"  there  declares,  "Behold  my  servant 
whom  1  uphold,  mine  elect  in  whom  gt^MY 
SOULc^D  delighteth. 


144  QUESTIONS. 

5.  By  THIS  you  believe  that  the  SOUL  of  Jeho- 
vah, he  v^ho  spake  to  Isaiah,  and  who  was  himself 
the  very  "  first  and  the  last,"  (as  he  declared  upon 
several  occasions  to  the  prophet,) — you  believe  that 
his  soul,  as  he  saith  "MY  SOUL,"  was  the  very 
soul  which  he  "came  down  from  heaven"  IN;  and 
clothed  with  flesh,  from  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary. 
And  thus,  the  "Word  was  made  flesh."  You  there- 
fore believe  that  the  Eternal  Son,  even  Jehovah,  (or 
the  Lord,)  became  a  true  man,  and  that  his  soul 
pre-existed  with  him  "  before  the  foundation  of  the 
world."  And  it  was,  therefore,  that  he  said,  "  Let 
us  make  man  in  OUR  IMAGE,  after  OUR  LIKE- 
NESS," Genesis  i.  20;  that  is,  after  the  image  ox 
likeness  of  the  soul  of  Jesus,  the  Eternal  Son.  Are 
you  so  persuaded,  &c. 


FOURTH  QUESTION. 

THE  INCARNATION. 

1.  Brother,  you  believe  that 
"Word,"  even  "the  ONLY  BEGOTTEN"  and 
eternal  Son  of  the  Father,  "  came  down  FROM 
HEAVEN,"  or "  FORTH  FROM  THE  FATHER," 
and  "WAS  MADE  FLESH,"  by  taking  upon  him 
our  nature  from  the  ^^  blessed^ ^   Virgin  Mary,  and 

^became  MAN  like  unto  US,  ''sin  excepted;^''  and 
was  born  in  a  manger  at  Bethlehem,  Judea.  Do 
you  thus  believe  ? 

2.  And,  brother,  you  believe  that  the  FLESH 
and  NATURE  derived  from  the  "  blessed"  virgin, 
was  of  the  line  of  David,  And  that,  as  GOD  THE 
WORD  "  TOOK"  IT  upon  HIMSELF,  it  became 


QUESTIONS.  145 

"  GOD'S  FLESH  AND  BLOOD,"  hy  a  PERFECT 
UNION  and  ASSIMILATION  of  the  "DIVINE 
NATURE"  with  the  HUMAN  NATURE;  making 
ONE  WHOLE  AND  ENTIRE  NATURE.' 

3.  And  you  believe  that  "GOD"  thus  brought 
himself  into  the  "  FORM  OF  A  SERVANT,"  PhiL 
ii.  7,  and  hy  this  means  into  a  CAPACITY  for 
SUFFERING,  DYING,  MEDIATING,  and  ATON- 
ING for  us  and  our  sins. 

4.  Because,  when  "GOD"  THE  FIRST  AND 
THE  LAST  "came  down  from  Heaven,"  and  me- 
diated, and  died  for  us,  HE  MEDIATED  ALONE. 
As  he  declared  to  Isaiah ;  "  I  HAVE  TRODDEN 
THE  WINE  PRESS  ALONE"—"  The  year  of  my 
redeemed  is  come.  And  I  looked,  and  there  (ji^-WAS 
NONE^  TO  HELP,  and  I  wondered,  and  there 
was  NONE  to  uphold;"  "therefore  MINE  OWN 
ARM  brought  salvation  unto  me,  and  my  fury  it  up- 
held me."  Isa.  Lxiii.  3,  4,  5;  Rev.  xix.  13,  14, 15. 
Are  you  so  persuaded,  &c. 


FIFTH  QUESTION. 
THE  SUFFERINGS  OF  GOD. 

1.  Brother,  you  believe  that  when  "God  was 
made  flesh,"  and  becameman,HE,  the  Eternal  word 
or  Eternal  son,  actually  suffered  in  his  own  divine 
nature,  as  he  declared,  "  MY  SOUL  is  exceeding- 
sorrowful  even  unto  death,"  Matt.  xxvi.  38, — 
even  the  very  soul  he  spoke  of,  when  he  spake  to 
Isaiah.  HE  "was  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our 
infirmities."  And  that  he  might  feel  the  power  of 
temptation,  and  be  "  able  to  succor  us,"  Heb.  ii. 


146  QUESTIONS. 

18,  he  subjected  himself  VOLUNTARILY,  John 
X.  17,  18;  and  "ACCORDING  TO  HIS  ETER- 
NAL  PURPOSE,"  Eph.  iii.  11,  to  "be  tempted 
LIKE  AS  WE  ARE,"  yet  WITHOUT  SIN. 

2.  And  further,  you  believe,  that  when  the  Eter- 
nal Son,  even  "God"  the  "Word,"  "WAS  MADE 
FLESH,"  and  became  man,  he  became  man  in  ONE 
ENTIRE  AND  PERFECT  NATURE,  as  before 
stated. 

3.  And  NOT  according  to  the  doctrine  of  Hy- 
postasis, or  TWO  whole  and  DISTINCT  natures,  as 
is  now  taiight  in  the  schools. 

4.  But  you  beUeve,  that  "God"  became  man, 
by  a  perfect  union,  mixture,  and  assimilation  with  our 
nature,  from  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary  ;  and  that  the 
"DIVINE  NATURE"  and  HUMAN  NATURE  be- 
came ONE  FLESH,  in  such  a  manner,  that  you 
can  say  with  the  Apostle  John,  "OUR  HANDS 
HAVE  HANDLED  of  the  WORD  OF  LIFE;" 
and  with  Saint  Paul,  "Feed  the  church  of  GOD, 
which  HE  hath  purchased  with  HIS  OWN  BLOOD." 
Acts  XX.  28.     Are  you  so  persuaded,  &c. 


SIXTH  QUESTION. 
JESUS  IS  "THE  FIRST  AND  THE  LAST." 

1.  Brother,  you  believe  that  JESUS  OF  NA- 
ZARETH, the  Eternal  Son,  is  our  "ALMIGHTY" 
REDEEMER,  "  the  First  and  the  Last;''  and  that 
NONE  should  have  any  excuse,  that  He  declared  to 
St.  John,  in  the  Revelation,  HE  ("the  FIRST  AND 
THE  LAST)— WAS  DEAD;"  and  that  he  was 
"the  SON  of  God."     See  Rev.   i.  17,  18;  ii.  8, 


QUESTIONS.  147 

18.  And  therefore,  you  believe  that  there  can- 
not be  TWO  BEINGS,  OR  GODS,  who  can  claim 
the  prerogative  of  being  "  the  First  and  the  Last," 
or  to  be  WORSHIPPED. 

2.  And  you  therefore  believe,  that  JEHOVAH, 
the  God  of  Jihraham,  and  oflsaac^  and  the  Prophets, 
declared  to  the  Prophet  Isaiah,  that  HE  was  "  the 
First  and  the  Last,"  as  is  recorded  in  the  forty- 
fourth  chapter  and  sixth  verse,  as  follows  :  "  Thus 
saith  the  Lord,  the  KING  of  Israel,  and  his  RE- 
DEEMER, the  Lord  of  Hosts,  I  AM  THE  FIRST 
AND  I  AM  THE  LAST,  and  BESIDES  ME 
THERE  IS  NO  GOD." 

3.  You,  therefore,  in  accordance  with  the  express 
and  immediate  declaration  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  in  the 
Revelations,  and  THIS  his  declaration  to  Isaiah^  be- 
lieve there  cannot  be  but  one  god.  And  that  con- 
sequently, there  is  NO  GOD  BUT  JESUS,  the  FIRST 
AND  THE  LAST,  and  no  other  BEING  IN  HEA- 
VEN or  in  earth,  that  you  can  LAW'FULLY  w^or- 
ship.  The  Apostles  WORSHIPPED  JESUS.  See 
Luke  xxiv.  52.  Matt,  xxviii.  17.  And  the  "wise 
men"  and  others  worshipped  him,  which  he  re- 
ceived as  his  due.  And  the  Apostle  Paul  declares 
of  the  SON,  "LET  ALL  THE  ANGELS  OF  GOD 
W'ORSHIP  HIM."     Heb.  i.  6. 

6.  Brother,  you  therefore  trxily  and  verily  believe 
that  JESUS,  THE  SON  of  the  Father,  W^AS 
W^ORSHIPPED.  And  that  he  himself  expressly  de- 
clares, that  the  "LORD  THY  GOD"  ONLY  shall 
be  worshipped  and  served.     See  Luke  iv.  8. 

7.  Therefore,  you  believe,  that  as  HE  RE- 
CEIVED DIVINE  WORSHIP  AS  HIS  DUE— AS 
HIS  RIGHT,  and  also  JUST  ADORATION,  He, 
consequently,  xMUST  BE  "THE  LORD  GOD,"  as 
he  declared  he  was.     Rev.  xxii.  6. 


148  QUESTIONS. 

8.  And  you  verily  believe,  that  when  you  WOR- 
SHIP JESUS  ONLY,  you  worship  the  whole  Trinity; 
because  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost  are  the 
same  in  identity  as  Jesus,  (Isa.  ix.  6 ;  1  Cor.  xv. 
45 ;)  and  are  one  with,  and  in  Jesus,  and  dwell  in 
him,  (called  the  second  person  in  the  Holy  Trinity,) 
^'bodily,^^  even  as  they  have  dwelt  FROM  ALL 
ETERNITY;  Jesus,  who  died  on  the  cross,  and 
washed  us  in  his  own  blood,  being  the  one  only 
living  and  "TRUE  GOD"  whom  angels  or  men 
can  lawfully  worship.  Amen,  Lord  Jesus !  Are 
you  so  persuaded,  &c. 


SEVENTH  QUESTION. 

THE  ATONEMENT. 

1.  Brother,  you  believe  in  the  Atonement  for 
sin,  by  the  BLOOD  OF  JESUS.  And  brother,  you 
implicitly  believe  the  declaration  of  Saint  Paul, 
whilst  under  the  immediate  influence  of  the  Spirit 
of  Prophecy,  recorded  in  Acts  xx.  28, — that  the 
''OVERSEERS"  should  "feed  the  Church  of 
God,  which  he  hath  purchased  {Ji^-W^ITH  HIS 
OWNBLOOD."^ 

2.  And  you  do  by  this  Scripture,  understand  and 
believe,  that  Saint  Paul  declared,  that  JESUS,  the 
only  begotten  SON,  and  Man  who  died  on  the  cross 
on  Mount  Calvary,  WAS  GOD;  and  that  he  ran- 
somed, redeemed,  and  purchased  you  by  the  blood  oj 
his  cross,  shed  on  Mount  Calvary. 

3.  And  in  confirmation  of  this  blessed  truth,  we 
need  but  refer  to  the  first  chapter  of  the  Revelation 
of  Saint  John,  where  Jesus  made  a  more  glorious 


QUESTIONS.  149 

til anife station  of  himself,  in  his  unveiled  Glory,  as 
follows:  *'And  when  I  SAW  HIM,  (saith  Saint 
John,)  I  FELL  AT  HIS  FEET  AS  DEAD,  and  he 
laid  his  RIGHT  HAND  UPON  ME,  saying  unto 
me.  Fear  not,  I  AM  THE  FIRST  AND  THE 
LAST,  lam  he  that  liveth  AND  WAS  DEAD." 

4.  Here  we  have  an  open  declaration,  brother, 
THAT  THE  FIRST  AND  THE  LAST  WAS  THE 
MAN  who  died  on  Calvary.  And  that  no  man  can 
look  upon  his  glorious  body,  even  the  body  of  "Je- 
sus," the  "Son  of  man,"  who  was  dead: — and 
LIVE  ;  which  agrees  with  his  saying  to  Moses, 
Exodus  xxxiii.  20,  "For  there  shall  no  man  see  me 
and  live."     Are  you  so  persuaded,  &c. 


EIGHTH  QUESTION. 
THE  MEDIATION. 

1.  Beloved  brother,  are  you  persuaded  from  the 
Scriptures,  and  the  testimony  of  the  Holy  Spirit  on 
your  own  heart,  that  it  was  JEHOVAH,  THE 
ETERNAL  SON  INCARNATE,  even  "GOD" 
THE  "WORD,"  who  SUFFERED,  in  his  oion  na- 
ture,  and  poured  out  his  precious  blood  on  the  Cross, 
and  DIED  between  two  thieves. 

2.  IT  WAS  HE  (JEHOVAH)  who  MEDIATED 
BY  HIMSELF  between  Man  and  the  PENALTY 
of  ETERNAL  DEATH— the  CURSE  consequent 
on  Adam's  transgression. 

3.  The  Apostle  declares,  by  ONE  MAN  sin  en- 
tered into  the  world,  and  DEATH  by  SIN.  Rom. 
V.  12.     And  speaking  of  himself  and  the  disciples, 


150  QUESTIONS. 

he  says,  "WE  were  by  nature,  children  of  wrath 

EVEN  AS  OTHERS."        Eph.   11.   3. 

4.  Brother,  you  therefore  believe  that  we  have 
INNATE,  or  Original  Sin,  and  that  "GOD,"  "BY 
HIMSELF,"  Heb.  1.  3,  hath  redeemed  us  from 
this  curse,  Gal.  iil.  13,  and  hath  purchased  us  with 
his  OWN  BLOOD,  gwmg  infinite  merit  to  his  death. 
Are  you  so  persuaded,  &c. 


NINTH  QUESTION. 

THE   REIGN  OF    THE   LORD  JESUS   WILL 
HAVE  NO  END.     Luke  1.  33. 

1.  Brother,  you  believe  that  the  Lord  Jesus 
will  REIGN  OMNIPOTENT  FOR  EVER  AND 
EVER,  and  that  the  record  of  Saint  Paul,  1  Cor.  xv. 
27th,  28th,  and  29th  verses,  where  he  declared, 
"then  shall  the  son  also  himself  ht  subject  unto  hiin 
that  d\&put  all  things  under  him,"  CANNOT  BE 
LITERALLY  CONSTRUED,  without  MAKING 
VOID  numerous  passages  in  the  writings  of  the 
same  Apostle,  and  the  sayings  of  JESUS  himself, 
and  his  immediate  Apostles.  It  would  also  make 
void  the  prophecies,  and  destroy  the  iifinite  atone- 
ment.    See  the  Eleventh  Question. 

2.  The  Literal  Construction  put  on  the  texts  1  Cor. 
XV.  27th,  28th,  and  29th  verses  is,  that  after  the  end 
OF  THE  WORLD,  "  the  SON  himself"  wlll  bc  eternally 
"SUBJECT"  TO  and  SUBORDINATE  "TO" 
God  "the  Father." 

3.  Such  a  literal  construction  is  directly  opposed 
to  the  doctrines  of  this  church,  and  would  support  the 
sentiments  of  Arius  or  Socinus. 


QUESTIONS.  151 

4.  Brother,  you  are,  therefore,  PERSUADED,  and 
you  BELIEVE,  that  it  would  he  indispensably  requi- 
site for  the  preservation  of  the  doctrines  of  Jesus 
Christ,  set  forth  in  the  Old  and  New  Testaments, 
and  for  the  preservation  of  the  Doctrines  of  the 
Church  of  the  Eternal  Son,  to  reject  this  clause  of 
the  fifteenth  chapter  of  the  first  of  Corinthians,  27th, 
28th,  and  29th  verses,  altogether,  RATHER  than 
ADOPT  the  aforesaid  literal  meaning  into  the  be- 
lief of  the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son. 

5.  Because  this  construction  is,  that  the  great 
Jehovah,  see  Isa.  12th  chapter,  2d  verse,  the  "I 
AM,"  John  viii.  58,  "THE  FIRST  AND  THE 
LAST,"  and  "ONLY  GOD,"  Isa.  xlIv.  6,  Rev.  i. 
8,  18,  and  "the  SON,"  of  whom  Saint  Paul  him- 
self  2ind  David  saith,  THY  THRONE,  0  GOD,  IS 
{^FOREVER  AND  EVER,^}  Hebrews  i.  8; 
we  say,  the  literal  construction  is  this:  that  THIS 
DIVINE  BEING,  even  "GOD  HIMSELF,"  ac- 
cording TO  St.  Paul's  own  writings,  see  Heb.  i. 
8,  and  Rom.  ix.  5,  will,  at  the  end  of  the  world, 
BECOME  SUBJECTED  TO  ANOTHER  GOD. 
This  is  impossible. 

6.  Brother,  we  leave  the  clause  1  Cor.  xv.  27-29 
verses,  stand,  without  further  comment,  as  a  record 
incomprehensible  to  us,  in  connection  with  the  Scrip- 
tures of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments.  Moreover, 
a  literal  interpretation  would  directly  oppose,  and 
utterly  confuse  numerous  Scriptures  in  the  Pro- 
phets, the  Gospels,  and  in  Saint  Paul's  own  Epistles, 
and  make  him  AT  VARIANCE  WITH  HIMSELF. 

7.  Jesus  declares,  /  and  my  Father  ARE  ONE, 
John  X.  30;  which  words,  brother,  you  believe  to 
mean,  ONE  IN  PERSON,  John  xiv.  7;  ONE  IN 
ESSENCE,  because  Begotten,  John  iii.  16  ;  ONE 
in  ETERNAL  GLORY,  Rev.  xxi.  23 ;    ONE  in 


152  QUESTIONS, 

POWER,  Matt,  xxviii.  18,  John  v.  21 ;  ONE  in 
KNOWLEDGE  and  in  OMNISCIENCE,  John  xvi. 
30,  31;  ONE  in  OMNIPRESENCE,  John  iii.  13, 
Matt,  xviii.  20,  Col.  i.  17 ;  ONE  in  ETERNITY, 
John  X.  15,  John  i.  1,  1  John  i.  1,2;  ONE  in  crea- 
tive POWER,  John  v.  19 ;  ONE  in  DURATION,  and 
in  ETERNAL  IDENTITY,  Hebrews  i.  10,  11,  12, 
PsaL  cii.  24,  25,  26,  27,  Heb.  xiii.  8;  ONE  in 
ETERNAL  SOVEREIGNTY;  and  to  be  EQUALLY 
WORSHIPPED,  John  v.  23,  Heb.  i.  8,  Rev.  xxi. 
5,  6,  7,  Luke  i.  33,^  Rev.  iv.  10,  11,  (v.  12,) 
i^XY.  3,  4.^) 

8.  Brother,  in  referring  to  these  texts,  the  Glorious 
truth,  recorded  in  the  Revelation  22d  chapter,  6th 
verse,  that  Jesus  is  "the  Lord  God  of  the-  Holy 
Prophets,"  will  be  supported  and  established.  The 
record  is,  "And  he  said  unto  me,  these  sayings  are 
faithful  and  TRUE,  and  the  0#=LORD  GOD.#D  OF 
THE  HOLY  PROPHETS  sent  HIS  angel  to  shoio 
unto  his  servants  the  things  which  must  shortly  be 
done  ;"  and  in  the  same  chapter,  and  in  the  16th 
verse,  it  is  written  (Jr^-"  I,  JESUS,^  have  SENT 
{ji^-MINE  ANGELA  to  testify  unto  you  these  things 
in  the  Churches."  And  he  declares,  "  he  that  over- 
cometh  shall  inherit  all  things,  and  I  will  be  HIS 
GOD,  and  he  shall  be  MY  SON.  Glory  be  to 
Jesus  "  our  Father  P'  who  calls  us  HIS  SONS  ! 

9.  In  these  records,  brother,  you  at  once  discover, 
and  perceive  beyond  a  doubt,  that  the  "  LORD  GOD 
of  the  holy  prophets,''  and  the  LORD  JESUS,  "are 
one"  and  the  SAME  PERSON.  JJnd  that  therefore 
Jesus  cannot  be  SUBJECT  unto  any  being.  Are 
you  persuaded  of  the  foregoing  truths,  and  do  you 
thus  believe  .^    I  am  so  persuaded,  &c. 


QUESTIONS.  153 

TENTH  QUESTION. 

JESUS    THE    ETERNAL     AND     ALMIGHTY 

MAKER,  AND  PRESERVER  OF  ALL 

THINGS. 

1.  Beloved  brother,  you  are  persuaded,  and  do 
believe,  That  the  Eternal  Son  of  the  Father,  even 
JESUS,  the  MAN  who  suffered,  bled,  and  died  on 
the  Cross  on  Mount  Cavalry;  you  believe  that  this 
MAN  is  the  MAKER,  John  i.  3,  Heb.  i.  2,  CRE- 
ATOR, Ephe.  iii.  9,  Col.  i.  16,  and  PRESERVER, 
Heb.  i.  3,  Col.  i.  17,  o^  all  things  unexceptionahly . 

2.  John  records  "  He  was  IN  the  world,  and  the 
world  was  MADE  BY  HIM,"  John  i.  10.  The  Lord 
Jehovah  declared  to  Isaiah,  Isa.  XLviii.  12,  13,  "I 
AM  THE  FIRST  AND  I  ALSO  AM  THE  LAST. 
MINE  HAND  ALSO  HATH  LAID  THE  FOUN- 
DATIONS OF  THE  EARTH,  and  my  right  hand 
hath  spanned  the  heavens. '^^ 

3.  In  the  first  part  of  the  foregoing  record,  JEHO- 
VAH uses  the  very  same  words  that  the  SON  uttered 
to  Saint  John  WHEN  DESCRIBING  HIS  OWN 
ETERNAL  DURATION.  "I  am  the  First  and  I 
also  am  the  Last,"  SAITH  JEHOVAH;  "I  am  the 
First  and  I  am  the  Last,"  SAITH  JESUS.  There- 
fore, brother,  you  believe  that  the  names  Jehovah 
and  Jesus  mean  the  same  divine  Being,  the  creator 
and  maker  of  all  things.  And  for  this  reason  there 
is  NO  "  Father"  ABOVE  the  Son  to  whom  HE  could 
give  his  glory,  nor  any  Being  to  whom  the  Son  can 
he  subject,  either  in  time,  or  in  eternity. 

4.  Moreover,  if  Jesus,  "the  First  and  the  Last," 
was  to  GIVE  HIS  GLORY  TO  ANOTHER  and  be 
SUBJECT  to  him,  then  his  declaration,  "I  WILL 

13 


154  QUESTIONS. 

NOT  GIVE  MY  GLORY  TO  ANOTHER,"  would 
not  standi  but  be  untrue.     See  Isa.  XLviii.  11,  12. 

5.  And  it  would  also  set  aside  the  Divine  Glory 
and  Majesty  of  the  same  "  First  and  the  Last,"  when 
he  manifested  himself  to  Saint  John  in  the  Revela- 
tion, whom  John  could  not  look  upon  and  live,  who 
called  himself  "THE  ALMIGHTY,"  Rev.  i.  8. 
and  '^the  SON  of  God."  Rev.  ii.  18  :  HE,  whose 
^^  words  are  true  and  faithful, "^"^  and  who  declared, 
"Heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away,  but  MY  WORDS 
shall  not  pass  away^     Matt.  xxiv.  35. 

6.  Brother,  you  therefore  believe  implicitly,  and 
without  a  doubt,  that  JESUS  is  the  Eternal  Son,  or 
Eternal  as  a  Son.  And  do  you  understand  by  the 
words  *'  only  begotten  Son,"  an^"  goings  forth  from 
EVERLASTING,"  Micah  v.  2,  to  mean  ''Eternal 
Generation?"  (See  Illustrations, Ch?i\-).  1st, Part 4th.) 
And  that  the  Son  of  the  Father  is  absolutely — posi- 
tively—and unconditionally  ETERNAL  AS  A  SON? 
And  do  you  understand  that  we  mean  that  the  SON 
as  a  Son,  had  no  beginning?  for  you  perceive  that  if 
he  had  any  beginning,  he  would  still  be  limited,  and 
would  not  be  eternal,  but  of  limited  duration.  But 
you  understand  with  the  Prophet  Micah  that  "his 
goings  forth  have  been  from  of  old,  from  everlast- 
ing.''^ Jesus  the  Son  is,  therefore,  absolutely  eter- 
nal. Brother,  do  you  therefore  understand  by  the 
words  "only  begotten  Son,"  and  "Eternal  Genera- 
tion," an  INSTANTANEOUS  and  ETERNAL  AC'Pr 
by  which  God  manifested  himself  to  himself  in  his 
INFINITE  PERFECTION  as  ''the  brightness ofhis 
glory,"  AS  JESUS,  the  Eternal  Son,  Jesus  being 
"BY  HIMSELF,"  the  very  "Eternal  Godhead," 
in  unity,  and  in  TRINITY  "BODILY?" 

You,  therefore,  worship  JESUS,  and  believe  him 
to  be  the  "  Eternal  and  Almighty  Maker"  and 
preserver  of  all  things.     Are  you  so  persuaded,  &c. 


QUESTIONS.  155 

ELEVENTH  QUESTION. 

JESUS    CHRIST    THE    SAME    YESTERDAY, 
TO-DAY,  AND  FOR  EVER.     Heb.  xiii.  8. 

1.  Brother,  as  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself  CciWed 
Saint  Paul  to  the  ministry^  so  we  are  hound  to  give 
him  all  Apostolical  reverence  and  credence.  We, 
therefore,  now  offer  those  glorious  passages  found 
in  his  own  writings,  which  powerfully  support  the 
UNCHANGEABLE  GLORY  of  the  SON  OF  GOD, 
and  establish  his  everlasting  and  ETERNAL  "DO- 
MINION" AND  "REIGN."     See  Luke  i.  33. 

2.  In  Acts  XX.  28,  Saint  Paul  declares,  whilst 
in  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  "Feed  the  Church  of  GOD 
which  he  hath  purchased  with  HIS  OWN  BLOOD." 
The  SON,  according  to  this  declaration  of  Saint  Paul, 
MUST  BE  GOD,  for  it  was  the  Son  which  died. 

3.  Again:  "Of  whom,  as  concerning  the  flesh, 
Christ  came,  w^ho  is  over  all,  GOD  Blessed  forever  ."^"^ 
See  Rom.  ix.  5.  In  this  text  the  Apostle  again  calls 
Christ'' '■God.''''  Again  :  "Accordingto  the  command- 
ment of  the  everlasting  God,"  Rom.  xvi.  26.  Here 
h'e  c^lls  Jesus  Christ  the  everlasting  God.  Again  : 
"No  man  can  say  that  JESUS  is  the  LORD,  but  by 
the  Holy  Ghost."  1  Cor.  xii.  3.  Saint  Paul  here 
clearly  tells  us,  that  it  requires  the  inspiration  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  to  call  JESUS  LORD,  so  difficult  is  it 
to  believe  that  he  is  "Lord  and  God." 

4.  Again  :  "  The^r^^  man  is  of  the  earth,  earthy. 
THE  SECOND  MAN  IS  THE  LORD  FROM 
HEAVEN."  See  1  Cor.  xv.  47.  How,  then,  can 
he  give  up  his  kingdom  and  be  subject  to  any  one? 
It  is  against  all  the  sacred  records,  and  impossible, 
because  he  declares  the  MAN  TO  BE  "GOD," 


156  QUESTIONS. 

and  the  "Lord  from  heaven!"  Again,  he  records, 
"Christ  Jesus,  who,  being  in  the  FORM  of  God, 
thought  it  not  rohhery  to  be  EQUAL  WITH  GOD"— 
see  Phil.  2,  6; — the  Son  being  the  Father's  equal. 

5.  Again:  "Who  created  all  things  BY  JESUS 
CHRIST."  Eph.  iii.9.  Again:  "Whohath  trans- 
lated  us  into  the  kingdom  of  his  DEAR  SON,  for 
BY  HIM  wei'e  all  things  created  that  are  in  heaven, 
and  in  earth,  ALL  THINGS  were  CREATED  BY 
HIM,  and  (Ji^-FOR  HIM.e#§  And  he  is  before  all 
things,  and  BY  HIM  all  things  CONSIST.'"  See 
Colos.  i.  13,  16,  17. 

6.  According  to  this  text,  the  SON  of  the  Fa- 
ther CREATED  all  things  FOR  HIMSELF,  and 
UPHOLDS  all  things,  for  by  him  ALL  THINGS 
CONSIST.  Again  :  "According  to  the  glorious  gos- 
pel of  the  blessed  GOD,"  1  Tim.  i.  11,  12.  In  the 
6th  chapter  of  1  Timothy,  St.  Paul  gives  Timothy 
various  commandments.  "I  give  thee  charge,^^ 
(saith  he,)  "that  thou  keepthis  commandment  with- 
out spot,  until  the  appeanns;  of  our  LORD  JESUS 
CHRIST,  which  in  HIS  TIMES  he  will  shew." 
(That  is,  "he  will  shew"  whether  you  have  kept 
these  commandments.) 

7.  "WHO  IS  the  blessed  and  ONLY  POTENT- 
ATE,  the  King  of  Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords."  See  1 
Tim.  vi.  14,  15.  And,  as  a  final  quotation  from  St. 
Paul,  to  prove  that  the  texts  in  1  Cor.  xv.,  27th,  28th 
verses,  are  not  to  be  literally  understood,  that  is,  in 
the  sense  that  the  SON  w-ill  be  subject  to  the  Father, 
he  declares,  quoting  from  the  Prophet  David,  "But 
unto  the  SON  he  saith,  THY  THRONE,  0  GOD, 
IS  FOREVER  AND  EVER."     See  Heb.  i.  8. 

8.  And,  as  he  says  to  Timothy  that  Jesus  is  the 
"ONLY  POTENTATE,"  you  believe  the  Record  of 
Saint  Luke,  that  to  the  reign  of  JESUS  the  Son,  and 
his  kingdom,  there  will  be  NO  END.     Luke  i.  33. 


QUESTIONS.  157 

9.  And  you  believe  the  record  of  Saint  John,  Rev. 
xi.  15,  that  "the  kingdoms  of  this  world  have  be- 
come the  kingdoms  oj"  our  Lord  and  his  Christ,  and 
HE  SHALL  REIGN  FOR  EVER  AND  EVER;" 
which  Saint  Paul  himself  thus  confirms,  "  JESUS 
CHRIST,"  "the  SAME  YESTERDAY  and  TO- 
DAY and  FOR  EVER."  Heb.  xiii.  8.  Therefore,  as 
he  hath  ALL  POWER  in  heaven  and  in  earth  now, 
Matt,  xxviii.  18,  his  power  and  reign  will  be  "for 
ever."     Brother,  are  you  so  persuaded,  &c. 


TW^ELFTH  QUESTION. 

SPECIAL  GIFTS. 

1.  Brother,  when  Saint  Paul  testified  concern- 
ing the  various  spiritual  gifts,  manifested  in  the 
Churches  at  his  day,  enumerated  in  1  Cor.  12th 
Chap.,  4th  to  12th  verses,  he  declared  that  they  were 
all  given  By  the  Spirit,  which  was  according  to  the 
promise  of  our  Lord  himself.     John  xiv.  26. 

2.  Do  you  believe  that  the  GIFTS  there  enume- 
rated are  NOW  ATTAINABLE  by  a  TRUE  and 
LIVING  BELIEF  in  the  Lord  Jesus  ?  for  he  declares, 
*'He  that  believeth  ON  ME,  the  works  that  I  do 
SHALL  HE  DO  ALSO."  See  John  xiv.  12; 
Markxvi.  17,  18. 

3.  Brother,  you  therefore  believe,  that  they  who 
believe  without  a  doubt  that  the  Man  Jesus  Christ  of 
Nazareth  "is  the  TRUE  GOD  and  Eternal  Life," 
1  John  V.  20,  and  only  God,  have  received  the  Holy 
Ghosts — "  for  no  man  can  saythat  JESUS  isthe  Lord 
but  BY  the  Holy  Ghost  ;^^ — and  that  by  the  power  of 
this  spirit  they  can  perform  all  that  has  been  pro- 
mised them  by  their  Divine  "Master.'*" 


158  QUESTIONS. 

4.  Yet,  Brother,  you  are  persuaded,  that  the  con- 
version or  regeneration  of  the  souls  of  men  is  im- 
measurably above  all  other  considerations,  and 
should  claim  the  concentrated  energies  of  every 
member  of  this  church,  as  the  Lord  giveth  him  abi- 
lity.    Are  you  so  persuaded,  &c. 


THIRTEENTH  QUESTION. 

MIRACULOUS  FAITH. 

1.  Brother,  in  the  Gifts  mentioned  by  the  Apos- 
tle, 12th  Corinthians,  is  the  Gift  of  Faith,  verse 
9th.  Do  you  believe  that  the  Faith  there  spoken  of, 
is  an  ESPECIAL  GIFT  ?  And,  although  the  regene- 
ration of  the  soul,  called  Conversion,  is  of  all  the 
"  Operations"  of  the  Holy  Ghost  the  most  wonderful, 

2.  Yet  you  understand  by  the  words  of  the  Apos- 
tle ^^  to  another  faith, '^''  to  mean  a  particular  gift  to 
one  that  is  ALREADY  Born  again : 

3.  And  to  rnean  a  miraculous  Faith,  which  is  all 
powerful;  and  which  is  "  divine  substance''''  and 
"  evidence,''''  Heb.  xi.  1  ;  and  therefore  depends  not 
on  QUANTITY,  hut  is  a  pure  belief  without  doubt — 
which,  though  as  small  "as  a  grain  of  mustard  seed," 
can  do  all  wonders.  "  Nothing  shall  be  impossible," 
(saith  Jesus,)  to  those  who  possess  this  grain  of 
faith.     See  Matt.  xvii.  20. 

4.  Our  Lord,  however,  declares  unto  us,  Mark 
xi.  29,  that  "this  Jdnd  {of  faith)  can  come  forth 
by  NOTHING  but  by  FASTING  AND  PRAYER." 
This  was  when  he  cast  out  the  deaf  and  dumb  spirit. 
This  is  that  which  we  call  a  Miraculous  Faith, 
through  THE  POWER  OF  JESUS.  Are  you  so 
persuaded,  &c. 


QUESTIONS.  159 

FOURTEENTH  QUESTION. 
BELIEF. 

1.  Brother,  are  you  persuaded  that ^  when  Jesus 
declared,  "  He  that  helieveth  on  the  Son,  hath  ever- 
lasting life,  and  he  that  believeth  not  THE  SON, 
shall  not  SEE  LIFE,  but  the  wrath  of  God  ahideth 
on  him,''''  John  iii.  36,  he  meant  that  Jcind  of  belief 
which  the  thief  on  the  cross  attained  unto,  that  is, 
he  believed  JKSVS  WAS  HIS  LORD,  the  true  Mes- 
siah, and  would  REIGN  over  him  ?  because  he  said, 
"  Lord  REMEMBER  ME  when  thou  comest  into 
THY  KINGDOM." 

2.  And  Jesus  said  unto  him,  "  THIS  DAY  shalt 
thou  be  WITH  ME  IN  PARADISE."  Luke  xxiii. 
42,  43.  This  thief  it  appears,  had  no  merit,  no 
good  works  to  plead.  But  BY  A  LIVING  BELIEF 
that  JESUS  was  HIS  GOD  AND  SAVIOUR,  he  per- 
formed at  once  ALL  THE  WORKS  NECESSARY 
TO  SALVATION.    This  belief  saved  him. 

3.  Jesus  declares,  "  For  unto  whomsoever  MUCH 
is  given,  of  him  shall  much  be  required,''^  Luke  xii. 
48 ;  admonishing  all  who  have  GIFTS,  or  talents, 
to  "  PAY  HIM  WITH  USURY,"  and  bring  ''forth 
MUCH  FRUIT,"  John  XV.  5,  to  his  honor  and  glory. 

4.  The  invitation  is,  "Let  him  that  is  athirst  come, 
and  whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the  water  of  life 
FREELY,"  Rev.  xxii.  17,  and  ''without  money 
and  WITHOUT  PRICE,"  Isaiah  lv.  1,  like  the 
penitent  thief  on  the  cross. 

5.  The  Jews  asked  Jesus  how  they  might  work 
the  works  of  God.  "Jesus  answered  and  saith  unto 
them,  THIS  IS  THE  WORK  OF  GOD,  that  ye 
BELIEVE  ON  HIM  whom  he  hath  sent."  John 
vi.  28,  29.     This  alone  saves  the  soul. 


160  QUESTIONS. 

6.  Because  "  the  Lord  our  God  is  ONE  LORD," 
Mark  xii.  29,  so  it  is  those  only  who  can  WORSHIP 
JESUS,  and  call  HIM  that  Lord  "by  the  Holy 
Ghost,"  WHO  BELIEVE  unto  SALVATION.  Such 
a  belief  produces  holiness  of  life  and  conversation, 
and  all  good  works  as  ITS  FRUIT.  Are  you  thus 
persuaded,  &c. 


FIFTEENTH  QUESTION. 

ON  CONVICTION. 

1.  Brother,  you  believe  that  evangelical,  or  GOS- 
PEL CONVICTION,  is  that  operation  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  on  the  soul,  which  DRIVES,  or  IMPELS  A 
MAN  to  enter  into  a  state  of  ''''godly  sorrow''''  and 
repentance  AGAINST  HIS  NATURAL  WILL? 

2.  And  although  he  would  QUENCH  the  opera- 
tions of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  ease  his  conscience,  and 
thus,  like  SAUL  OF  TARSUS,  Acts  ix.  4,  b,  fight 
against  God,  yet  having  this  EFFECTUAL  CALL, 
(Rom.  viii.  28,  29,  30  ;  Heb  ix.  15,)  "  the  LOVE 
of  God  CONSTRAINETH  HIM"  to  seek  deliverance 
from  the  load  of  guilt  and  sin  which  now  oppresses 
his  soul,  by  the  various  means  of  salvation  afford- 
ed him.  He  is  ^^drawn^^  unto  Jesus,  and  is  hum^ 
bled  into  repentance,  into  a  sincere,  heartfelt,  and 
''  GODLY  SORROW  not  to  he  repented  o/."  2  Cor. 
vii.  10. 

3.  And  you  believe,  brother,  that  this  anxiety, 
tribulation,  anguish,  and  '•'■groaning,  w^hich  cannot 
he  uttered,''  Rom.  viii.  26,  TO  BE  THE  CONDI- 
TION OF  ALL  WHO  ARE  "CALLED  OF  GOD," 
before  their  souls  can  be  '''•horn  again,'''  and  come 


QUESTIONS.  161 

"  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God." 
Rom.  viii.  21. 

4.  All  unregenerated  persons  have  to  pass 
through  this  trial,  whether  they  be  open  sinners,  or 
rigid  moralists  ;  ALL  must  pass  through  this  AN- 
GUISH. Because  "  strait,  (or  distressful,)  is  the 
gate,  and  narrow  is  the  way  that  leadeth  unto  life." 
Matt.  vii.  14 ;  and  because  the  strong  gates  of 
hell,  and  of  death,  w^ould  STILL  BAR  UP  the  soul, 
as  they  did  before  the  "  Lion  of  the  Tribe  of  Judah 
prevailed''^  over  them,  and  opened  the  w^ay  of  salva- 
tion, and  of  eternal  life.  And  do  you  believe  that 
we  must  enter  through  the  "  strait  gate  unto  li/e^^  in 
this  life,  or  perish. 

5.  JESUS  IS  OUR  "  WAY,"  brother;  and  if  HE, 
the  "  holy  one^^  of  Israel,  Acts  iii.  14,  had  to  pass 
through  this  ANGUISH  in  the  garden,  and  when  he 
consummated  OUR  REDEMPTION  on  the  cross 
''  IN  HIMSELF,"  see  Col.  ii.  15,  wo  unto  the 
moralist  that  is  still  sleeping  the  sleep  of  death,  with- 
out "OIL  in  his  lamp."  Brother,  you,  as  all  con- 
verted persons,  know  and  feel  those  truths.  Are  you 
so  persuaded,  &c. 


SIXTEENTH  QUESTION. 

THE  NEW  BIRTH. 

1.  Brother,  you  believe  that  when  a  man  is  ''  co7i- 
verted,^^  ^^translated,^^  regeverated, or  " born again,^^ 
he  is  BAPTIZED  WITH  THE  HOLY  GHOST  AND 
WITH  FIRE,  as  in  the  days  of  the  Jlpostles.  Be- 
cause, WE  ARE  GENTILES.  And  on  the  GEN- 
TILES ALSO  (saith  the  Apostle),  "  was  poured 
out  the  Gft  of  the  Holy  Ghosts 


16^  QUESTIONS. 

2.  Saint  Peter  declares,  Acts  xi.  15,  "And  as 
I  began  to  speak,  the  HOLY  GHOST  FELL  ON 
THEM  AS  ON  US  AT  THE  BEGINNING."  He 
further  declares,  Acts  xv.  9,  "And  God,  which 
knoweth  the  hearts,  bare  them  witness,  giving 
THEM  the  Holy  Ghost,  EVEN  AS  HE  DID  UNTO 
US,  AND  PUT  NO  DIFFERENCE  between  US 
AND  THEM,  purifying  their  hearts  by  faith." 

3.  You  are,  therefore,  persuaded,  brother,  that 
NONE  are  "co7iver^e6?,"  "  translated,'''^  regenerated, 
or  ''horn  again,''  and  made  "SURE"  HEIRS  OF 
SALVATION,  unless  they  have  received  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

4.  And  you  believe,  brother,  that  TO  BE 
"BORN  AGAIN,"  is  an  INSTANTANEOUS  ACT 
of  God's  unmerited  mercy,  and  follow^s  conviction 
and  repentance  ;  and  is  not  PROGRESSIVE,  as 
some  assert;  the  "transition"  being  IMMEDI- 
ATELY "from  death  unto  life.'''  And  we  are 
"  translated  INTO  THE  KINGDOxM  of"  the  "DEAR 
SON,"  saith  the  Apostle.  Col.  i.  13.  And  "the 
Kingdom  of  God"  is  then  manifested  "  within  us,'^ 
as  Jesus  declares.     See  Luke  xvii.  21. 

5.  And  often  the  new^-born  children  of  Jesus,  like 
those  who  are  older  in  grace,  "in  the  fullness  of 
the  blessing,"  cry  aloud  and  shout,  and  laugh, "  with 
joy  unspeakable  and /i^// o/ GLORY;"  and  the  out- 
ward senses  and  animation  are  often  suspended,  by 
the  unspeakable  ^o^K  ex  ?iW(\  love  of  Jesus,  even  by  THE 
SHOWERS  of  his  grace,  as  is  manifested  in  the 
Methodist  i:V\SCOVMuCR\]KCY{.  See  Psal.  Lxxii. 
6  ;  Hosea  vi.  3.     Brother,  do  you  thus  believe? 

6.  And  have  you  determined,  through  the  blessing 
of  Jesus,  aiding  you  in  your  official  capacity,  to 
watch  over  this  church  and  its  holy  doctrines  with 
all  diligence  and  care,  and  to  SEE  that  the  Gospel 
has  "  free  course?" 


QUESTIONS.  163 

7.  Brother,  as  the  GIFTS  and  OPERATIONS  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  mentioned  in  paragraph  5th,  and  in 
the  Address,  and  other  rules  of  discipline  of  this 
church,  necessarily  promote  the  salvation  of  souls, 
and  are  the  immediate  FK\jYV  of  the  New  Birth,  you 
will  SEE  that  those  glorious  operations  are  not  ob- 
structed^ clogged,  or  hindered  by  those  who  have 
"  left  their  first  love,"  or  who  may  sleep  in  spirit,  or 
are  neither  "  cold  nor  hot.'^^ 

8.  And  with  all  diligence,  brother,  you  promise, 
through  the  help  of  Jesus,  to  teach  all  men  that  they 
"  must  be  born  again."  And  that,  TO  BE  born  of 
God  is  not  merely  to  he  justified,  or  to  have  our  sins 

pardoned ;  but  that  it  is  to  become  A  "  NEW  CREA- 
TURE," yea,  ?iS  perfectly  so,  as  when  we  w^ere  born 
naturally  into  this  world.  And  the  soul  is  then  IRRE- 
VOCABLY married  unto  the  Lamb,  John  x.  28,  and 
obtains  "  the  {eternal)  wedding  garment,'^''  which  is 
JESUS  himself,  "  The  Lord  OUR  RIGHTEOUS- 
NESS," Jer.  xxiii.  6,  who  makes  HIS  ABODE  in 
the  soul,  John  xiv.  23;  and  that  this  is  that  state 
which  we  call  CHRISTIAN  PERFECTION. 

9.  And  then,  the  soul  has  perpetual  admission 
unto  the  ^^  Marriage  Supper,"  and  joys  of  "the 
Lamb"— "Almighty."  See  Rev.  xix.  7,  9.  And 
you  believe,  that  those  "  who  climb  up  into  the  sheep- 
fold,  in  any  other  WAY,"  and  who  have  not  been 

clothed  with  this  "  wedding  garment, ^"^  will  be  "  cast 
(as  Jesus  declares  of  one  who  had  not  this  garment 
on),  into  outer  darkness;  there  shall  be  weeping 
and  gnashing  of  teeth."     See  Matt.  xxii.  9-13. 

10.  Brother,  in  consideration  of  the  importance  of 
this  glorious  new-birth,  you  have  determined  to  em- 
ploy all  your  powers,  to  impress  on  the  minds  of  ALL, 
that  they  are  "BY  NATURE  children  of  wrath,'' 
and  are  SPIRITUALLY  DEAD,  Eph.  ii.   1 ;  and 


164  QUESTIONS. 

that  the  soul  is  barred  and  locked  up  by  ^^the  gates 
of  deathy^^  Psal.  ix.  13,  and  "the  gates  of  hell,^'' 
Matt.  xvi.  18. 

11.  And  that,  being  thus  barred  and  locked  up^  the 
SOUL  must  inevitably  and  certainly  PERISH,  un- 
less it  breaks  those  bars,  and  bursts  the  gates  of  hell 
and  of  death  which  enclose  it,  by  the  new  birth. 

12.  AND  THAT  THIS  NEW'BIRTH  of  the  soul 
is  effected,  or  done,  by  the  Almighty  power  of  Jesus , 
who  only  and  alone  has  "the  KEYS  of  hell  and  of 
death,"  as  he  declared.  Rev.  i.  18.  And  brother, 
you  believe,  and  will  teach,  that  "there  is  none  other 
name  under  Heaven,  given  among  men,  whereby 
we  must  be  saved,  (but)  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
Nazareth."  For  there  is  no  name  but  the  name 
JESUS  which  can  avail  or  profit  the  soul  in  its  strug- 
gle for  the  new  birth.     Acts  x.  10,  12. 

13.  And  you  will  show  unto  ALL,  as  Jesus,  your 
"Lord  and  God"  and  only  Saviour,  giveth  you 
ability,  that  the  soul  of  eve?^  unregenerated  man  is 
thus  baiTcd  and  locked  up.  And  as  this  is  the  condi- 
tion of  ALL,  show  them  that  they  "  MUST  be  BORN 
AGAIN."  So  saith  Jesus.  John  iii.  3,  4,  5.  They 
MUST  be  born  AGAIN,  or  they  CANNOT  SEE,  nor 
ENTER  INTO,  the  Kingdom  of  God,  saith  Jesus. 

14.  The  "young  man"  in  the  Gospel,  recorded 
Matt.  xix.  20,  kept  ALL  the  commandments  from  his 
"youth  up,"  and  yet  he  "  lacked"  the  one  only  thing 
needful,  namely,  "  treasure  in  heaven.'^''  He  was  not 
"  born  again."  Therefore,  brother,  we  exhort  you  to 
show  unto  ALL,  that  they  "MUST  be  born  again.''^ 
They  must  pass  through  the  strait  and  narrow  way, 
the  way  of  conviction,  of  distress,  of  repentance,  and 
of  mourning,  and  the  final  anguish,  and  struggle  of 
the  neio  birth;  which  07ily  and  alo7ie  can  deliver  the 
soul  from  "the  worm  (that) diethnot,^^  and  from  " the 
fire  that  is  not  quenched."     Mark  ix.  44 — 48. 


QUESTIONS.  165 

15.  And,  beloved  brother,  you  can  tell  them  from 
your  own  experience  that  no  outward  penance^  or 
good  works,  even  to  give  "  the  body  to  be  burned^^  as 
a  sacrifice,  can  save  the  soul;  but  we  "MUST  be 
born  again."  Then  we  obtain  "  that  which  is  PER- 
FECT," which  is  "  CHARITY,"  which  "  is  LOVE, 
which  15  JESUS."  Amen!  Hallelujah!  Brother, 
you  do  thus  promise.  And  are  you  so  persuaded, 
&c. 


SEVENTEENTH  QUESTION. 

ON  THE  FULL  ASSURANCE  OF  ETERNAL 
LIFE. 

1.  Brother,  you  believe  that  those  who  are  con- 
verted, have  a  Jull  assurance  of  eternal  life.  They 
are  those  who  are  "born  of  God,"  regenerated,  or 
"born  again,"  by  the  baptism  of  the  ^^ Holy  Ghost, 
and  iidth  Jire,^^  whom  the  Lord  Jesus  denominates 
HIS  SHEEP.  THESE  HAVE  A  FULL  AS- 
SURANCE OF  ETERNAL  LIFE  {even  from  youth 
until  old  age),  from  the  blessed  promise  of  Jesus 
himself,  as  follows: 

2.  "My  sheep  HEAR  MY  VOICE,  and  I  KNOW 
THEM,  and  they  FOLLOW  ME.  And  I  give  unto 
them  ETERNAL  LIFE,  and  they  shall  ^NEVER 
PERISH."c^}  John  X.  27,  28. 

3.  Nevertheless,  so  long  as  we  are  in  the  world, 
we  "shall  have  tribulation^'^''  saith  our  Master,  and 
temptations,  and  pain.  But  his  spirit,  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  Comforter,  gives  us  A  CONTINUAL 
VICTORY.  For  we  "are  sealed,^''  and  have  be- 
come "  HEIRS"  oi'  salvation  and  life  eternal. 


166  QUESTIONS. 

4.  And  you  believe  that  those  who  doubt  these 
truths,  are  ^^  servants'*^  only,  and  not  "50715;"  and 
that  such  may  "fall  away"  after  being  justified,  or 
after  pardon  for  sin;  and  that  they  raay  even  have 
"  TASTED  of  the  heavenly  gift,  and  be  made  par- 
takers  of  the  Holy  Ghost,"  and  yet  fall  away  beyond 
repentance.     See  Heb.  vi.  1-6;  Luke  8  to  15. 

5.  But  you  believe  CHRIST'S  "SHEEP,"  those 
who  are  "  born  of  God"  or  "  born  again,"  "SHALL 
NEVER  PERISH."  And  you  do  thus  fully  be- 
lieve, and  can  say  with  Saint  Paul,  (recorded  in  an- 
other Scripture,)  "For  I  am  persuaded  that  neither 
death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  'principalities,  nor 
powers,  nor  \h\x\gs present,  nor  THINGS  TO  COME, 
nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor  any  other  creature,  shall 
he  able  to  separate  US  from  the  LOVE  OF  GOD, 
which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord."  Rom.  viii.  38, 
39.     That  is,  US  "who  are  born  of  God." 

6.  Because  "  whosoever  is  born  of  God  (saith 
Saint  John)  doth  not  commit  sin;  for  HIS  SEED 
remaineth  IN  HIM,  and  he  CANNOT  SIN,  because 
he  IS  born  of  God.''  See  1  John  iii.  9.  "And  if 
any  man  sin  a  sin  which  is  not  unto  death,''  we  have 
an  ADVOCATE,  even  JESUS,  '' our  righteousness" 
"WITHIN  US."  And  this  is  that  DIVINE  SEED 
which  '"'■  keepeth"  US,  so  that  we  cannot  ''sin  unto 
death."     Are  you  thus  persuaded,  &c. 


EIGHTEENTH  QUESTION. 

NONE  WERE  "BORN  AGAIN"  OR  ASCENDED 
UP  TO  HEAVEN,  BEFORE  THE  RESURREC- 
TION OF  THE  LORD  JESUS.     John  iii.  13. 

1.  Brother,  you  believe   the   saying  of  Jesus  to 
Nicodemus,  "  NO  MAN  HATH  ASCENDED  UP 


QUESTIONS.  167 

TO  HEAVEN  but  HE  that  came  down  from  hea- 
ven, even  the  SON  OF  MAN  which  is  IN  HEA- 
VEN." John  iii.  13.  We  therefore  cannot  see  into 
the  conditio?!  of  Enoch,  of  Moses,  and  Elijah  or  Elias, 
before  Christ's  resurrection;  they  may  have  been  in 
Paradise,  whither  the  penitent  thief  went.  See  Luke 
xxiii.  43. 

2.  It  is  recorded  in  Saint  Matthew  xxvii.  52d 
and  53d  verses,  as  follows:  "And  the  graves  were 
opened,  and  many  bodies  of  the  saints  which  SLEPT, 
AROSE  and  come  out  of  the  graves  AFTER  HIS 
RESURRECTION,  and  went  into  the  HOLY  CITY, 
and  appeared  unto  many.'*''     See  Rev.  xxi.  1-7. 

3.  By  these  texts  you  are  persuaded,  that  "wo 
man'*''  ascended  up  to  heaven  before  the  resurrection 
of  Jesus. 

4.  Because  those  who  slept  before  his  resurrec- 
tion THEN  FIRST  AROSE,  and  "went  into  the 
Holy  City."  But  you  believe  this  implicitly  because 
JESUS  HIMSELF  SAITH  SO,  in  the  text,  John  iii. 
13. 

5.  Jesus  declares,  "I  AM  THE  RESURREC- 
TION AND  THE  LIFE." 

6.  Therefore,  brother,  you  believe  with  this 
church,  THAT  AS  "THE  HOLY  GHOST  WAS 
NOT  YET  GIVEN,"  see  John  vii.  39;  and  not  be- 
stowed as  2i  general  gift,  until  the  day  of  Pentecost, 
see  Acts  i.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5 ;  and  Acts  ii.  17,  18 ;  there- 
fore, none  were  '•^born  again'*''  (see  Luke  xxii.  32) 
until  that  day.  For  it  is  "  written,  Abram  believed 
God,  and  it  was  COUNTED  unto  him  for  righteous- 
ness." Rom.  iv.  3,  22.  But  none  were  baptized 
"  with  the  HOLY  GHOST  and  with  fire,"  Matt, 
iii.  11,  or  were  "born  again,"  in  theGospel  sense. 

7.  Therefore  those  who  died  loving  the  Lord, 
^^ slept' ^  in  hope  until  Jesus  "  quickened''''  them  in  his 


168  QUESTIONS. 

resurrection,  and  delivered  them  from  death,  and  the 
grave.     Are  you  so  persuaded,  &c. 


NINETEENTH  QUESTION. 
GOD'S   FOREKNOWLEDGE  AND   DECREES. 

1 .  Brother,  do  you  believe  that  JESUS,  our  "  Lord 
and  our  God,"  John  xx.  28,  FOREKNOWS, 
(ji^John  xvi.  30,^  and  has  FOREORDAINED 
ALL  THINGS.  And  that  we  have  no  right  to 
QUESTION  the  wisdom  and  justice  of  his  DE- 
CREES. 

2.  In  Isaiah  xLvi.  9,10,  he  declares,  "MY  COUN- 
SEL SHALL  STAND,  AND  I  WILL  DO  ALL  MY 
PLEASURE."  This  is  conclusive.  This  you  believe. 
And,  further,  you  have  read  the  chapter  on  Pre- 
destination, Part  IV.,  Chapter  10;  and  believe  the 
doctrines  there  laid  down.  Are  you  thus  persuaded, 
&c. 


TWENTIETH  QUESTION. 

**WITH  GOD  ALL.THINGS  ARE  POSSIBLE." 

1.  Brother,  you  believe  that  with  JESUS, 
"our  Lord  and  our  God,"  "ALL  THINGS 
ARE  POSSIBLE,"  as  Jesus  declared.  And  that 
JESUS  has  a  SUPREME  RIGHT  to  dispense  mercy 
or  judgment  to  his  creatures  AT  HIS  PLEASURE. 
See  John  v.  21,  and  ix.  39. 

2.  And,  therefore,  it  is  wrong  even  for  the  sake 


QUESTIONS.  169 

of  argument,  to  QUESTION  THIS  SUPREME 
AND  ETERNAL  RIGHT  IN  JESUS  to  say,  or  to 
do,  or  to  promise  anything. 

3.  And  all  his  children  should,  in  all  humility, 
say,  ^*JUST  AND  TRUE  ARE  THY  WAYS, 
THOU  KING  OF  SAINTS."  Rev.  xv.  3. 

4.  You  are,  therefore,  determined,  through  Di- 
vine aid,  to  rebuke  any  member  of  this  church  v^ho 
may  venture  to  say  that  God  cannot  do  this,  or  God 
cannot  do  that.     Are  you  so  persuaded,  &c. 


TWENTY-FIRST  QUESTION. 
THE  RESURRECTION. 

1.  Brother,  do  you  believe  in  the  general  resuiTec- 
tion  of  the  body  at  the  last  day  ?  Rev.  xx.  13.  And 
the  last  judgment,  when,  as  it  is  written,  "  JESUS," 
"  the  SON  OF  MAN,  shall  come  IN  HIS  GLORY, 
and  all  the  Holy  Angels  with  HIM?" 

2.  "Then  shall  he  SIT  UPON  THE  THRONE 
OF  HIS  GLORY.  And  before  him  shall  be  gathered 
all  nations,  and  he  shall  separate  them  one  from  an- 
other, as  a  Shepherd  divideth  his  sheep  from  the 
goats;  and  he  shall  set  the  sheep  on  his  right  hand, 
and  the  goats  on  his  left.  Then  shall  THE  KING 
say  unto  them  on  his  RIGHT  HAND,  Come,  ye 
blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the  Kingdom  prepared 

for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world."^"* 

3.  "  Then  shall  he  say  unto  them  on  his  left  hand. 
Depart  from  me,  ye  cursed,  m\o  EVERLASTING 
FIRE,  {^prepared  for  the  devil  and  his  angels.'^'' ^^ 

4.  "And  these  shall  go  away  into  EVERLAST- 
14 


170  QUESTIONS. 

ING  PUNISHMENT,  but  the  Hghteous  into  life  eter- 
nal.'' Matt.  XXV.  31,  32,  33,  34,  41,  46.     Are  you 

so  persuaded,  &c. 


TWENTY-SECOND  QUESTION. 
ON  WATER  BAPTISM. 

1.  Brother,  you  believe  there  is  BUT  ONE 
LORD,  ONE  FAITH,  AND  ONE  BAPTISM. 

2.  And  therefore,  you  do  not  believe  in  the  ne- 
cessity of  TWO  Baptisms,  and  cannot  consistently 
preach  the  necessity  of  John  the  Baptisfs  Baptism^ 
which  was  to  repentance  only.     Matt.  iii.  11. 

3.  But  you  believe  in  the  One  Saving  Baptism, 
which  is  the  "BAPTISM  OF  THE  HOLY  GHOST, 
AND  WITH  FIRE."   See  Matt.  iii.  11;  Acts  ii.  1,4. 

4.  Yet,  in  accordance  with  the  provision  of  this 
church,  we  may  baptize  with  outward  water,  but 
by  sprinkling  only  ;  because  it  accords  with  the 
spiritual  spnnkling  hy  the  word.  Therefore,  such 
adults,  who,  by  reason  of  a  weak  and  tender  con- 
science, cannot  feel  released  without  it,  may  be  Bap- 
tized by  sprinkling. 

5.  When  you  Baptize,  you  say,  according  to  dis- 
cipline :  I  Baptize  thee,  in  the  NAME  of  the  Father, 
and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  WHICH 
NAME  IS  JESUS.     Amen. 

6.  Because,  the  NAME  JESUS  IS  THE  NAME 
OF  EACH  PERSON  IN  THE  GODHEAD.  See 
Isa.  ix.  6.  John  xiv.  7,  8,  9.  Matt,  xviii.  20. 
2  Cor.  iii.  17.     1  Cor.  xv.  45. 

7.  Therefore,  when  the  Apostles  Baptized  at  all, 
(Saint    Paul    only   Baptized    two,    "  Crispus    and 


QUESTIONS.  171 

Gaius,")  they  always  "  Baptized  in  the  name  of  the 
LORD  JESUS."  See  Acts  ii.  38;  viii.  16  ;  x.  84; 
xix.  5.  We,  therefore,  follow  their  example.  We 
do  not  hold  Water  Baptism  as  an  ordinance,  but  Bap- 
tize by  permission  only  ;  because  all  ordinances 
were  ^^  nailed  to  the  Cross.'^^  See  Col.  ii.  14.  Are 
you  so  persuaded,  &c. 


TWENTY-THIRD  QUESTION. 
THE  COMMUNION. 

1.  Beloved  brother,  you  believe  in  a  spiritual 
communion  with  the  Lord  Jesus  in  the  soul,  which 
is  a  spiritual  breaking  of  ^^the  living  bread  which 
came  down  from  heaven^     John  vi.  51. 

2.  And  you  believe  that  we  can  HEAR  HIS 
VOICE  immediately,  REALLY,  and  SUBSTAN- 
TIALLY, in  the  soul:  John  x.  16,  27. 

3.  And  can  receive  LVIMEDIATE  COUNSEL  of 
him,  even  as  the  holy  men  of  old  (see  Psa.  Lxxiii. 
23,  24,  25 ;  John  xiv.  26 ;  xv.  26,  27) ;  so  as  to 
regulate  by  that  counsel,  all  the  spiritual  and  tem- 
poral affairs  of  life ; — as  was  professed  by  the  an- 
cient Quakers  and  Moravians. 

4.  Brother,  this  church  professes  to  be  built  up  of 
regenerated  and  living  members,  who  have  passed 

from  death  unto  life;  and  through  the  great  mercy 
of  JESUS,  the  *'  Blessed  God,"  are  sustained  by  him 
with  the  "bread  of  heaven"  and  *'of  life,"  which 
is  himself,  as  he  declares:  "I  am  the  bread  of 
life;  he  that  eateth  my  fleshy  and  drinketh  my  blood, 

DWELLETH  IN  ME,  AND  I  IN  HIM."      Johu  vi.   35,  56. 

5.  "  This  is  that  bread  which  came  down  from 


172  QUESTIONS. 

heaven,^^  "and  when  his  disciples  murmured  at  it," 
he  saith,  "it  is  the  Spirit,  (the  Holy  Ghost  and  Com- 
forter" that  quicken  eth,)  ^^  thejlesh  prqfiteth  nothing;^'* 
"the  words  that  I  speak  unto  you,  they  are  spirit, 
and  they  are  life."  See  John  vi.  33,  35,  48,  63. 
Our  Lord  did  not  mean  that  his  own  body  "  profit- 
eth  nothing." 

6.  Brother,  from  these,  and  many  other  Scriptures, 
we  are  taught  that  it  is  the  PERSONAL  INDWELL- 
ING OF  Jesus  in  the  soul  that  enables  the  soul  to 
eat  him,  spiritually  and  substantially,  as  he  saith, 
he  Xh-cdeateth  me,  shall  live  by  me. 

7.  We  cannot,  therefore,  consistently  with  HIS 
living  presence  with  us,  and  in  us,  eat  outward  bread 
and  drink  outward  wine,  which  are  eaten  as  types 
only  (by  the  Protestant  Churches)  of  him  which  has 
ALREADY  COME  accordiug  to  his  promise,  Acts  ii.  4, 
and  will  continue  with  us,  as  he  declares,  "  always, 
even  to  the  end  of  the  world,^^  Matt,  xxviii.  20;  be- 
cause, by  so  eating  outwardly,  we  should  really  de- 
clare that  Christ  Jesus  has  not  come.  It  is  writ- 
ten, that  the  outward  eating  was  to  "  show  forth  the 
Lord's  death  until  he  corned 

8.  Now,  as  he  has  come,  in  power  and  glory,  to 
all  those  who  believe,  and  are  horn  again,  such  as 
these  need  not  the  type  when  they  have  the  sub- 
stance, even  JESUS  himself  in  their  souls.  Halle- 
lujah! 

9.  Brother,  when  Jesus  gave  the  mission  to  his  dis- 
ciples recorded  in  the  tenth  chapter  of  Matthew's 
Gospel,  he  immediately dec\?ires  that  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven  is  at  hand,  and  continues  in  these  words: 
"  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  ye  shall  not  have  gone  over 
the  cities  of  Israel,  till  the  son  of  man  BE  COME," 
Matt.  X.  1,7,  23,  which  was  verified  on  the  day  of 
Pentecost,  in  the  Gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Acts  ii. 
1—4. 


QUESTIONS.  173 

10.  Those  churches,  however,  who  deny  immedi- 
ate revelation,  as  in  the  days  of  the  Apostles,  and  that 
the  spiritual  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost  a)'e  not  ^iven  to 
men  at  this  time ;  and  who  know  not  a  spiritual  com- 
munion with  Jesus  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  according  to 
the  declaration  of  our  Lord,  John  x.  16,  xv.  26,  but 
have  fallen  in  part  into  the  degenerated  condition  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  Church ;  such  churches  as  these, 
if  sincere,  may  use  the  outward  communion  of  bread 
and  wine. 

11.  Brother,  we  read  that,  even  in  the  days  of  the 
Apostles,  owdng  to  the  peculiar  habitude  of  the  Jew^s 
and  Gentiles,  in  worshiping  by  feasting,  when  the 
Church  came  together  to  eat  and  drink  the  commu- 
nion, they  ^'' feasted,^''  and  were  "  drunken.^"*  See  1st 
Corinthians,  1 1th  chapter,  20th,  21st  and  22d  verses. 

12.  And  it  is  a  cause  o^  great  grief  to  the  regene- 
rated children  of  Jesus,  that  so  many  millions  of 
human  souls,  through  the  PERVERSION  of  this 
OUTWARD  EATING  OF  BREAD  AND  WINE  as 
the  ONLY  COMMUNION,  are  now  ignorantly  held 
in  bondage  by  a  few  Roman  Catholic  Bishops  and 
Priests. 

13.  These  millions  are  sinfully  and  wickedly  taught 
by  the  Priests  to  reject  all  immediate  and  spiHtual 
communion  with  Jesus  as  an  heresy.  {See  Milner's 
End  of  Religious  Controversy,  Letter  7th.)  And 
that  the  eating  of  a  consecrated  wafer  fulfils  all  the 
sayings  and  requirements  of  our  Glorious  Redeemer 
on  this  subject,  although  so  beautifully  and  clearly- 
set  forth  in  the  6th  chapter  of  John's  Gospel. 

14.  Brother,  we  have  determined  to  wage  an  un- 
ceasing spiritual  w^arfare  "by  the  armor  of  Christ's" 
** righteousness,"  2d  Cor.  vi.  7,  against  every  sect 
that  DEmEs  an  "  IMMEDIATE  LIGHT,  AND  MO- 
TION OF  GOD'S  SPIRIT"  ON  THE  SOUL,  as  in 


1 74  QUESTIONS. 

the  days  of  the  Apostles  ;  which  Light  and  Voice  did 
then,  and  will  now,  by  obedience,  counsel  us,  and 
lead  us  into  all  truth. 

Are  you  so  persuaded,  &c. 


TWENTY-FOURTH  QUESTION. 

ON  THE  LAW  GIVEN  TO  MOSES. 

1.  Brother,  you  believe  the  Divine  and  Moral 
Law  given  to  Moses,  is  summed  up  in  that  Scrip- 
ture, commonly  called  the  Ten  Commandments, 
or  Decalogue.  And  you  believe  that  they  are 
binding  on  all  men  who  have  heard  them  declared, 
excepting  such  parts  or  clauses  as  have  been  abro- 
gated, abolished,  or  stricken  out,  by  the  command- 
ments or  sayings  of  the  Lord  Jesus  himself. 

2.  And  you  believe  the  Laiu  of  Commandments, 
or  ordinances  of  the  Mosaic  dispensation,  have 
been  entirely  "  blotted  ouf''  by  the  Gospel  dispensa- 
tion, through  the  *'New  Commandments,"  or  say- 
ings of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  recorded 
in  the  New  Testament. 

.  3.  Christ  himself  gave  all  the  Commandments  to 
Moses,  for  our  "fathers  did  all  drink  of  the  same 
spiritual  drink,  for  they  drank  of  that  spiritual  ROCK 
that  followed  them,  and  that  ROCK  WAS  CHRIST." 
1  Cor  X.  4.  He,  therefore,  had  a  supreme  right  to 
m,odify  the  Ten  Commandments,  and  all  other  com- 
mandments given  to  Moses  and  the  Patriarchs,  so 
as  to  adapt  them  to  the  Gospel  dispensation  of  love 
and  mercy. 

4.  He  was  charged  by  the  Jews  with  doing  those 
things  "wjj^h  (were)  not  lawful  to  do  on  the  Sab^ 
bath  days.'''*  Luke  vi.  2.  But  he  vindicated  his 
acts  by  declaring,  that  "he,  the  Son  of  Man,  IS 


QUESTIONS.  176 

LORD  even  of  the  SABBATH  day.''     See  Matt. 
xii.  8.     Mark  ii.  23-28.     Luke  vi.  1-5-9. 

5.  Brother,  you  therefore  believe,  that  the  JVew 
Commandments  and  sayings  of  Jesus  supersede 
or  go  before  the  Old  Commandments,  and  are  the 
true  Rule  of  Faith  for  his  Church.  And  the  Apos- 
tle testifies  that  JESUS  ''blotted  out  the  hand- 
writing of  ordinances  that  was  against  us,  which 
was  contrary  to  us,  and  took  it  out  of  the  way^ 
NAILING  IT  TO  HIS  CROSS."     See  Col.  ii.  14. 

6.  You  therefore  believe,  that  we,  as  a  Church, 
cannot  establish  any  practice  as  an  ordinance 
amongst  us,  such  as  Baptism,  the  Communion  of 
Bread  and  Wine,  &c.  &c.,  as  are  maintained  by 
the  Churches  generally.  Saint  Paul  declares:  "I 
thank  God  that  I  baptized  none  of  you  but  Crispus 
and  Gains. '^     1  Cor.  i.  14. 

7.  Brother,  you  believe,  therefore,  that  every 
regenerated  soul  IS  FREE  from  the  Law,  though 
not  free  from  obedience  to  the  new  command- 
ments and  sayings  of  Jescs.  And  you  are  deter- 
mined to  '*  stand  fast  in  the  LIBERTY  wherewith 
Christ  has  made  us  FREE."  And  to  SEE,  as  Over- 
seer, that  this  "glorious  liberty"  is  unshackled  in 
the  churches.  Christ  Jesus  declares  "then"  are 
THE  CHILDREN  free.  Matt.  xvii.  26;  John  viii. 
36.  And  you  are  persuaded,  that  the  doctrines  on 
this  subject,  as  contained  in  Chapter  Eleventh,  Part 
Fourth,  of  this  our  Church-Book  are  true.  Are  you 
so  persuaded,  &c. 


TWENTY-FIFTH  QUESTION. 

HEAVEN,  AND  THE  THRONE* OF  GOD. 

1.  Brother,  do  you  believe  that  Heaven  is  the 


176  QUESTIONS. 

Throne  of  God,  because  we  are  taught  in  the  Holy- 
Scriptures  that  ''Heaven  IS"  the  Throne  of  God. 
See  Isa.  Lxvi.  1,  2.     Acts  vii.  49. 

2.  And  as  God  is  Omnipresent,  or  everywherey  see 
Psalm  cxxxix.  7,  8,  9,  so  we  believe,  that,  where- 
ever  GOD  IS,  THERE  THE  KINGDOM  OF  HEA- 
VEN, AND  THE  THRONE  OF  GOD,  ARE  ALSO. 

3.  And,  although  "God,"  even  Jesus,  humbled 
himself,  and  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant, 
and  became  "lowly  in  heart"  as  a  lamb,  yet,  you 
believe,  he  never  vacated  his  throne,  nor  the  Kingdom 
of  Heaven,  but  was  always  "m  Heaven, ^"^  as  he 
declared  to  Nicodemus. 

4.  His  saying  is:  "  JVb  man  hath  ascended  up  to 
Heaven  but  HE  that  came  down  from  Heaven, 
even  the  Son  of  Man,  which  IS  IN  HEAVEN."  See 
John  iii.  13.  Observe,  he  declares  to  Nicodemus, 
that  HE,  "the  Son  of  Man,"  was  then  "IN  HEA- 
VEN," whilst  he  was  speaking  to  him. 

5.  And,  therefore,  you  believe  that  the  words 
"I  came  down  from  Heaven,"  are  the  same  as 
when  he  said,  "I  came  forth  from  the  Father," 
John  xvi.  28;  and  mean,  that  "he  came  forth" 
into  the  outward  manifestation  and  "form"  of  a 
Man.  But  inwardly,  Jesus  was  still  in  Heaven, 
which  is  his  throne. 

6.  This,  brother,  was  exemplified,  when  he  let 
his  inward  glory  shine  through  "his  flesh  the  veil," 
in  his  transfiguration  on  the  Mount,  "when  his  face 
DID  SHINE  AS  THE  SUN,  and  his  raiment  was 
white  as  the  light. '''^  Matt.  17,  2.  Moreover,  as 
by  HIM  were  all  things  CREATED,  and  "g//  things 
consist''  or  are  SUSTAINED  hy  him,  the  "DEAR^ 
SON,"  Col.  i.   13-17,  so  he  then,  whilst  on  earth, 

filled  all  things.   (See  articles  of  Faith  and  Doctrine, 
No.  23.)     Brother,  are  you  so  persuaded,  &c, 


QUESTIONS.  177 

TWENTY-SIXTH  QUESTION. 

ON  "  THE  WRATH  OF  GOD"  AND  CREA- 
TURELY  DEVILS. 

1.  Brother,  you  believe  the  SOUL-FELT  and 
INSPIRING  TRUTH  of  the  Gospels,  that  '^GOD 
IS  LOVE."  I  John  iv.  8-16. 

2.  And  that  the  words  "the  wrath  of  God,"  so 
frequently  used  in  the  Scriptures,  do  not  mean,  as 
some  suppose,  that  there  is  wrath  IN  the  Divine  Mind; 
because,  if  God  should  move  himself  to  wrath,  IN 
HIMSELF,  he  would  be  moved  to  wrath  everywhere, 
because  HE  is  INDIVISIBLY  OMNIPRESENT: 

3.  But,  the  wrath  of  God  abidi7)g  on  a  man,  is  the 
condition  of  all  those  who  are  inunheliefin  Jesus,  as 
He  declares:  "He  that  helieveth  oti  THE  SON,  hath 
everlasting  life  :  And  he  that  helieveth  not  THE 
SON  shall  not  SEE  LIFE,  but  the  WRATH  OF 
GOD  ABIDETH  ON  HIM."  John  iii.  36.  Or  it  is 
the  condition  of  those  who  are  SEPARATED/rom 
JESUS,  by  the  WITHDRAWAL  of  the  operations  of 
his  Spirit ;  Gen.  vi.  3.  And  this  wrath  is  the  fallen 
nature  in  all  things. 

4.  And  to  be  under,  and  subjected  to  this  wrath, 
is  that  condition  or  state  in  which  every  unregene- 
rated  soul,  not  awakened,  exists.  As,  saith  the 
Apostle,  "WE  ARE  ALL,  BY  NATURE,  CHIL- 
DREN OF  WRATH."  Eph.  ii.  3. 

5.  Our  Lord  himself  thus  declares  the  condition  of 
those  on  whom  "  the  wrath  of  God  abideth.'^^  "YE 
are  of  YOUR  FATHER  THE  DEVIL,  (saith  he,) 
and  the  lusts  of  your  father  ye  will  do.  He  was  a 
murderer,  from  the  beginning,  and  ABODE  NOT 
in  the  truth,  because  there  is  no  truth  in  him" — 


178  QUESTIONS. 

"for  he  is  a  LIAR  and  the  FATHER  OF  IT."  See 
John  viii.  44. 

6.  Brother,  in  this  text  you  learn,  that  the  devil 
is  a  CREATURE;  that  he  was  *^a  MURDERER 
from  the  beginning.''^  At  which  time  he  LIED,  and 
murdered  the  innocence  of  Adam  and  Eve.  See  Gen. 
iii.  4,  5,  6.  Also,  he  instigated  Cain  to  slay  Abel. 
And  you  learn,  also,  that  he  is  a  FALLEN  creature, 
**for  he  ABODE  NOT  in  the  truth.''  See  Luke  x. 
18 ;  Rev.  xii.  7,  8,  9. 

7.  Brother,  you,  therefore,  believe  that  "the  devil 
and  his  angels"  are  creatures;  having  ^/brm,  and 
shape,  see  Job  ii.  1,  2,  3,  4,  {and  not  influences,  or 
passions,  or  propensities,  as  some  assert,  although 
you  believe  he  is  the  cause  of  all  evil,)  and  that  (like 
the  devil)  his  angels  are  also  FALLEN  creatures. 

8.  And  you  believe  that  the  DEVILS  cast  out  of 
persons  by  our  Redeemer,  were  REAL  CREA- 
TURES, who  have  the  capacity  of  occupying  the 
smallest  space,  as  in  the  case  of  the  man  who  had 
the  "Legion;"  Luke  viii.  30;  and  all  by  the 
pow;er  through  which  he  can  be  "transformed."  See 
2  Cor.  xi.  14,  15;  Gen.  iii.  1,  2.  You  believe, 
nevertheless,  that  Jesus  has  "a//  power""  over  the 
devil,  and  can  "  hind''  and  loose  him  at  his  pleasure. 
Rev.  XX.  1,  2,  3;  also  i.  18.  Are  you  so  per- 
suaded, &c. 


TWENTY-SEVENTH  QUESTION. 

ON  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 

1.  Brother,  you  believe  in  the  Holy  Scriptures 
of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  as  now  published 


QUESTIONS.  179 

and  acknowledged  by  the  Protestant  Christian 
churches.  And,  particularly  in  the  New  Testament. 
This  Book  contains  the  HOLY  REVELATION  given 
to  the  "beloved  Apostle"  John,  in  which  we,  as  a 
church,  have  so  much  to  be  thankful  for.  Because, 
there  we  have  revealed  unto  us  the  most  clear  and 
irrefragable  truths,  establishing  the  Eternity,  the 
Divinity,  the  "Almighty"  power,  the  Divine  Glory, 
and  the  Majesty  of  Jesus  the  Eternal  Son,  the  only, 
and  \erj  eternal  "Alpha  and  Omega,  the  Beginning 
and  the  End,  the  First  and  the  Last."  And  there 
he  is  declared  to  be  the  "  Lord  God  of  the  Holy  Pro- 
phets."   See  Rev.  xxii.  6,  13,  16. 

2.  Brother,  this  glorious  book  is  partly  a  "Reve- 
lation" of  the  CONSUMMATION  and  PERFEC- 
TION of  the  CHURCH  OF  JESUS,  TRIUMPHANT. 
For  the  Holy  City  New  Jerusalem  was  seen  com- 
ing down  from  God  out  of  heaven.  Rev.  xxi.  2. 
Then  it  is  declared,  "  Behold!  the  Tabernacle  of  God 
IS  WITH  MEN."  Rev.  xxi.  3.  We  then  find,  that 
^^vnthout  the  city^^  the  wricked  are  "  still"  pursuing 
their  wickedness.  And  w^e  are  exhorted  in  the  fol- 
lowing language:  "Blessed  are  they  that  do  HIS 
commandments,  that  they  may  have  a  right  to  the 
TREE  OF  LIFE,  and  may  enter  in  through  the  gates 
into  the  cityy  See  Rev.  xxii.  13,  14,  15.  And  w^e 
read  "the  GLORY  OF  GOD  did  lighten  it,  and  THE 
LAMB  IS  THE  LIGHT  THEREOF."  Rev.  xxi.  23. 
For  he,  saith  the  Evangelist,  "  is  Lord  of  Lords  and 
King  of  Kings."  Rev.  xvii.  14.  Amen!  Hallelujah! 

3.  Brother,  you  believe  that  Christ  Jesus  \\'\\\  final- 
ly come  to  judge  the  world  at  the  last  day.  But 
you  do  not  believe  in  an  outward  coming  of  Christ 
Jesus,  to  set  up  an  outward  kingdom  upon  earth, 
and  to  dwell  here  bodily,  as  he  did  at  Jerusalem, 
which  is  by  some  called  the  Millenium,  or  that  there 


180  QUESTIONS. 

will  be  an  outward  "  New  Jerusalem"  with  "  walls'* 
and  "gates."  These  ^^walls^^  and  "^a^es,"  you 
believe,  are  walls  and  gates  of  security^  against  any 
wicked,  unclean  or  unbelieving  person  entering  into 
the  Church  triumphant.  And  that  such  only  will  be 
admitted  "  who  do  HIS  commandments,"  and  walk 
in  HIS  LIGHT.  For  "THE  LAMB  IS  THE 
LIGHT  THEREOF." 

4.  And  we  exhort  you,  as  one  who  is  to  be  ap- 
pointed [an  overseer],  that  you  faithfully  admonish  all 
those  who  are  led  to  speak  of  the  Prophecies  of  the 
Old  or  of  the  New  Testament,  not  to  give  utterance 
to  their  feelings  unless  impelled  by  the  Holy  Ghost 
to  speak. 

5.  OUR  WORK,  brother,  as  a  church,  is  (as  instru- 
ments in  the  hands  of  Jesus)  to  warn  men  "  to  flee  from 
the  wrath  to  come,''''  and  by  the  power  of  his  Spirit 
TO  CONVERT  SOULS  TO  A  LIVING  FAITH  IN 
HIM.  Also  to  gather  the  true  children  of  Jesus 
into  onefold;  this  is  our  work,  and  not  that  of  med- 
dling with  the  holy  predictions.  Brother,  are  you 
thus  persuaded,  &c. 

JYote. — When  a  minister  is  ordained,  the  words 
[a  minister]  are  to  be  substituted  within  the  brackets. 


TWENTY-EIGHTH  QUESTION. 

1.  Brother,  are  you  persuaded  and  do  you  believe 
that  the  foregoing  questions  which  have  been  put  to 
you  are  ihe  doctrines  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ,  and  are  the  doctrines  of  this  Church?  And 
are  you  determined  to  support  them,  by  Divine  aid? 

2.  And,  brother,  you  further  believe  the  doctrines 
are  true  as  written  and  published  in  the  first  edi- 
tion of  our  Church  Book,  entitled  "Doctrines  and 


CONFIBMATION.  181 

Faith  of  The  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son."  And  in 
which  the  aforesaid  twenty-seven  "Questions"  are 
embraced. 

3.  And  you  declare  yourself  in  full  unity  with  the 
doctrines  contained  therein,  and  you  do  promise, 
through  the  HELP  OF  JESUS,  Xo  faithfully  support 
them,  and  with  all  your  might,  mind  and  soul,  use 
all  the  gifts  that  He  has  given  you,  to  convert  the 
never-dying  souls  of  men  ;  so  that  their  souls  maybe 
set  at  full  liberty  from  INNATE  sin  and  wrath,  con- 
sequent on  the  fall  of  Adam.  And  so  that  they  may 
enjoy  the  unspeakable  love  of  JESUS  in  this  life,  and 
the  glory  of  his  '•^everlasting  kingdom'^''  to  all  eter- 
nity. Brother,  are  you  so  persuaded,  and  do  you 
thus  believe  ?  I  am  so  persuaded,  and  I  do  thus 
believe  without  reservation.     Amen. 


FORM  OF  CONFIRMATION. 

1.  After  the  ioxegomg  inter rogationshdive.  been  put 
to  the  candidate,  contained  in  the  Twenty-Eight 
Questions,  He  and  the  Convention  (and  the  Audi- 
ence) shall  KNEEL  DOWN  in  fervent  prayer. 

2.  And  this  shall  be  the  position  of  all  our  mem- 
bers, when  praying  in  our  meetings  of  worship. 
Because,  it  is  recorded  in  Saint  Luke  xxii.  41st 
verse,  that  Jesus  himself,  "the  TRUE  GOD  and 
ETERNAL  LIFE"  kneeled  down  and  prayed." 
And  we  are  bound  to  follow  him. 

3.  Saint  Stephen  followed  him,  and  kneeled 
down,  and  prayed.  And  Saint  Peter,  and  Saint 
Paul  kneeled  down  in  prayer.  See  Acts  ix.  40,  and 
XX.  28.  Again,  Saint  Paul,  and  all  that  were  with 
him,  "  kneeled  down  on  the  shore,  and  prayed."  See 
Acts  xxi.  5. 


182  PRAYER. 

4.  We  therefore  prostrate  our  "  vile  Bodies'' 
before  JESUS,  our  ''Almighty''  and  holy  Re- 
deemer, to  whom  "  every  knee  should  bow."  Phil, 
ii.  10. 

5.  When  the  congregation  have  kneeled  down, 
the  brother  who  presides  over  the  Convention,  or  the 
Chief  Overseer,  if  present,  shall  then  offer  the  fol- 
lowing prayer : 

6.  [JVb^e. — The  words  0  Jesus!  are  to  be  pro- 
nounced fervently  and  slowly  in  this  prayer,  and 
dwelt  upon  with  adoration  and  reverential  awe,  be- 
cause "  his  narne  is  holy."] 


PRAYER. 

1.  We  prostrate  ourselves  before  thee,  0  Jesus! 
Thou  "Wonderful!— Counsellor!— Mighty  God  !— 
Everlasting  Father ! — and  Prince  of  Peace!"  Thou 
who  hast  declared  thyself  to  be  "the  First  and  the 
Last,"  even  "the  Lord  God  of  the  holy  Prophets." 
Thou  who  hast  "  created  all  things  that  are  in  hea- 
ven,— and  that  are  in  earth, — visible,  and  invisi- 
ble:— Whether  they  be  thrones,  or  dominions,  or 
principalities,  or  powers — all  things  were  created 
by"  thee  "  and  for"  thyself.  For  thou,  O 
Jesus!  Thou  art  the  "  only"  "  TRUE  God!"  and 
thou  art  the  "  Eternal  Life!" 

2.  We  bow  ourselves  before  THEE,  our  "Lord, 
and  our  God,"  in  all  humility  and  thankfulness. 
Because  thou  hast  in  thy  infinite — adorable — and 
unmerited  mercy,  regenerated  our  immortal  souls, 
and  hast  adopted  us  as  thy  children.  Thou  hast 
sealed  us,  O  Lord !  with  thy  Holy  Spirit  of  Promise, 
until  the  final  day  of  the  redemption  of  our  bodies, 
and  unto  all  eternity. 


PRAYER.  183 

3.  Thou,  0  Jesus!  our  Immanuel,  wert  IN 
HEAVEN,  even  whilst  thou  didst  sojourn  in  the 
*^veil"  of  flesh,  among  us  upon  earth.  Thou  didst 
then,  0  Jesus!  our  Saviour,  declare  that  "No  man 
hath  ascended  up  to  Heaven,  but  HE  that  came 
dow^n  from  heaven,  even  the  Son  of  Man  which  is  IN 

HEAVEN." 

4.  0  Jesus!  our  Saviour  and  God,  by  this  we  DO 
KNOW  that  thou  wert  STILL  IN  HEAVEN,  "  a//- 
gloriouSf^^  whilst  thou  didst  tabernacle  amongst  us 
upon  earth,  in  "  the  form  of  a  servant.'*  Thou  didst 
let  this  thy  inward  glory  shine  out  in  thy  transfigu- 
ration on  the  mount,  when  *'  thy  face  did  shine  as 
the  sun,  and  thy  raiment  was  white  as  the  Light  r"* 

5.  And  although  thou  didst  take  upon  thee  this 
FORM  of  a  servant,  and  became  "  a  SON-BORN," 
and  a  "  CHILD  GIVEN,"  yet  thou,  O  Jesus!  wert 
still  "the  MIGHTY  GOD,  and  the  EVERLASTING 
FATHER,"  as  thou  didst  declare  to  thy  Prophet 
Isaiah. 

6.  Thou,  0  Jesus,  art  the  same  eternal  "  God" 
and  "Saviour"  who  declared  "  Before  me  there  was 
no  God  formed,  neither  shall  there  be  after  me.  I, 
even  I,  am  the  Lord,  and  besides  ME  there  is  7io 
Saviour.''''  For  thou,  O  Jesus,  art  our  07i/y  Saviour! 
Thou  art  the  uncreated,  "Eternal  Life,"  the  "I 
AM,"  and  "  the  HOLY  ONE." 

7.  And  thou,  O  Jesus  !  our  Lord  and  our  God !  in 
thy  immeasurable  love  and  mercy,  and  according  to 
thy  ^^  Eternal  Purpose,'^''  didst  veil  thy  majesty  and 
glory  in  our  flesh,  and  thus  thou  didst  become  a 
MEDIATOR  between  thy  creature  man,  and  "the 
wrath  of  God,"  even  ^Hhe  worm  that  dieth  not,  and 
the  fire  that  is  not  quenched." 

8.  And  thou,  0  Jesus!  didst  condescend  to  bear 
our  irifirmities,  and  didst  humble  thy  holy  person, 


184  PRAYER. 

even  to  the  death  of  the  cross,  and  thou  didst  there, 
BY  THYSELF,  0  Jesus !  our  Saviour, Purchase  us— 
Atone  for  us — and  Redeem  us  with  the  holy  and 
atoning  "Blood  of  thy  cross,"  even  with  that  blood 
which  flowed  from  thy  holy  hands,  and  feet,  and  side 
on  Mount  Calvary.  For  'Hhere  was  NONE  TO 
HELP"  THEE,  O  thou  God  of  our  salvation. 
Hallelujah! 

9.  Thou,  O  Jesus!  art  "THE  LORD  OUR 
RIGHTEOUSNESS."  And  without  thee,  O  God! 
we  "can  do  nothing,"  for  thou  art  our  only  good, 
and  only  God.  And  "  there  is  none  good  BUT 
ONE,"  and  that  eternal  "Holy  ONE,"  0  Jesus! 
"  our  Lord  and  our  God!"  is  thyself. 

10.  And,  therefore,  O  Lord !  we  pray  unto  THEE 
and  supplicate  THEE  for  all  that  IS,  or  can  be 
called  good,  or  holy — for  thou,  0  Jesus!  art  the  Power, 
and  the  "  true  Light  which  lighteth  every  man  that 
Cometh  into  the  world:" 

11.  Which  convicts  our  souls  of  sin  ;  and  which 
causes  us  to  mourn  for  peace  and  consolation,  and 
which  gives  us  rest  for  our  souls. 

12.  Thou,  O  Jesus!  art  HE  who  only  and  alone 
can  help  the  mourner.  It  is  thy  Spirit  of  holiness 
and  of  power  which  gives  us  strength  to  pass 
through  the  difficult  and  strait  gate,  and  narrow  way 
oi  anguish  and  distress,  which  leadeth  unto  life. 

13.  For  thou,  O  Jesus!  didst  tread  "the  wine 
press  alone,"  and  didst  pass  that  way  before  us,  and 

for  us.  Thou  hast  been  "  tempted  like  as  we  are." 
Thou  hast  felt  the  anguish  of  despair  as  we  feel  it, 
before  our  redemption  is  consummated,  and  our 
souls  are  set  at  liberty,  and  made  free  by  the  new 
birth.  Thou,  O  God!  didst  feel  this  anguish  and 
despair  for  all  who  have  died,  or  may  die  in  thy 
love,  when  thou  didst  cry  on  the  cross,  "  My  God ! 


PRAYER.  185 

my  God!  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me?"  For  thou 
hast  been  "  in  all  points  tempted  like  as  we  are,  yet 
without  sin." 

14.  Thou,  0  Jesus!  in  thy  infinite  love,  didst 
pass  through  the  mysteries  of  redemption  for  us, 
*'  by  a  new  AND  LIVING  WAY  which"  thou  hast 
"  consecrated  through  the  veil,  even  thy  flesh:"  0 
thou  ETERNAL  SON!  and  Holy  One. 

15.  For  thou,  0  Jesus,  WERT  "  GOD,"  "  MADE 
FLESH;"  and  thou  didst  "ascend  up"  "into 
glory,"  where  thou  wert  "BEFORE;"  and,  there- 
fore, thou  canst  succor  and  redeem  us.  Glory  be  to 
thy  name!     Amen ! 

16.  And  we  glorify  thy  nam,e,  O  Jesus! — thou 
ETERNAL  LAMB,  "Almighty!"  Amen!  Because 
thou  hast  revealed  to  us,  that  thy  "OWN  ARM 
brought  salvation  unto"  thee,  "and  there  was  none 
to  help^^  THEE!  w^hen  thou  didst  suffer  and  die  on 
the  cross,  on  Mount  Calvary.     (Hallelujah!) 

17.  For  thou,  0  Jesus!  art  "God,"  and  GOD 
ALONE!  (Hallelujah!)  And,  therefore,  thy  serv- 
ant Paul  declared  in  thy  Holy  Spirit,  "  Feed  the 
Church  of  God  which  he  hath  purchased  with  his 
OWN  blood."     Hallelujah! 

18.  And,  now  O  Jesus!  we  humbly  supplicate 
THEE,  because  we  know  and  feel  that  thou  art  the 
''only  Potentate,''  the  God  of  all  "Gods!"  and 
"Lord  of  all  Lords,"  and  "King  of  all  Kings." 

19.  We  humbly  supplicate  THEE  to  Bless  our 
Brother,  who  is  about  assuming  the  Holy  office  of 
Chief  Overseer  of  the  Church  of  THE  ETERNAL 
SON,  which  is  THY  OWN  CHURCH.  0  Jesus ! 
be  pleased,  we  supplicate  thee,  to  Bless  him  with 
wisdom :  even  with  the  abiding  witness  of  thy  Holy 
Spirit.     Amen ! 

15 


186  PRAYER. 

20.  And,  O  Jesus !  do  thou  shield  and  deliver 
him  from  all  temptation  and  evil.     Amen! 

21.  Do  thou  send  him  forth  in  the  power  of  thy 
Spirit,  so  that  he  may,  as  thy  instrument,  bring 
forth  much  fruit  to  the  honor  of  thy  glorious  name, 
in  the  CONVERSION  of  many  immortal  and  never- 
dying  souls  of  men.     Amen  ! 

22.  O  Jesus!  do  thou  make  thy  ABODE  in  him. 
Amen !  And  thus  bless  him  with  thy  own  self,  ac- 
cording to  thy  promise  :  even  with  the  true  Bread 
and  living  Bread  of  Heaven  ;  for  thou,  O  Jesus! 
art  "that  Bread  of  Life.''  And  thus  fill  him,  O 
Jesus!  with  thy  fulness,  so  that  he  mdLjfeed  thy 
own  Church,  O  God  !  "which  thou  hast  purchased 
with  THY  OWN  BLOOD."     Amen! 

23.  And  finally,  O  Jesus!  when  our  Brother  shall 
come  BEFORE  THEE,  to  give  an  account  of  his 
stewardship,  "  at  the  last"  great  "day,"  when  thou 
Shalt  "SIT  UPON  THE  THRONE  OF  THY 
GLORY!"  may  he  not,  at  that  hour,  be  found 
wanting,  as  thy  steward.     Amen  ! 

24.  And  may  he,  as  one  of  thy  never  penshing 
children,  receive  the  joyful  welcome  of  "Well  done, 
thou  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the 
joy  of  thy  Lord."     Amen! 

25.  Thou,  O  Jesus!  art  inscrutable  in  thy  "  Ma- 
jesty," and  unsearchable  in  thy  wisdom. 

26.  For  thy  Holy  body,  O  Jesus!  which  suffered, 
bled,  and  died  on  the  cross,  on  Mount  Calvary,  was 
subdued  by  thy  omnipotence  unto  thy  all  glorious 
and  eternal  "Image;"  shining  with  light  ineffable, 
which  no  man  can  behold,  and  live! 

27.  THOU  ART  THE  ETERNAL  ROCK  OF 
AGES!  Thy  omnipresence  places  and  thy  omni- 
science presents  the  whole  progress  of  eternal  dura- 
tion,  NOW,  and  FOR  EVER,  before  thy  view. 

28.  We  bow  ourselves  before  thee,  O  Jesus!  our 


PRAYER.  187 

Lord,  and  our  God!  in  humility  and  adoration!  And 
worship  thee,  who  art  the  only  living  and  "  TRUE 
GOD,"  now,  henceforth,  and  for  evermore.    Amen! 

29.  And,  notwithstanding  the  infinitude  of  thy 
greatness,  0  Jesus,  our  Saviour!  thou  didst  ASSIMI- 
LATE thy  eternal  Image  and  person  with  ^^  the.  form 
of  a  servant,"  thou  wast  "MADE  FLESH"  for  our 
salvation  ;  and  thou  didst  condescend,  0  thou  "High 
and  lofty  one,"  in  thy  lowliness  and  meekness,  to  be 
Born  of  a  virgin,  in  a  manger,  at  Bethlehem,  Judea. 
For  thou,  O  Jesus!  our  God,  art  love. 

30.  And  thou  didst,  then,  declare  thy  Eternal,  yet 
^^  new  name,"*"*  unto  us,  according  to  thy  ^^  eternal 
purpose,^''  even  the  Holy  name,  JESUS  !  Hallelujah! 

31.  And  it  is  in  this,  thy  own  holy  name,  that  we 
approach  thee — "a  name  which  is  ABOVE  every 
name.''^     Hallelujah! 

32.  And ^glory  be  to  thy  holy  name!  O  Jesus! 
that  thou  hast  adopted  us  as  sons ;  that  thou  hast 
called  us  THY  CHILDREN.  Amen!  And  we  can, 
therefore,  call  thee  "Our  Father,  which  art  in 
Heaven.     Hallowed  be  thy  NAME  !"     Amen.     " 

33.  For  thou,  O  Jesus!  didst  declare,  "I  am 
Alpha  and  Omega,  the  Beginning  and  the  End ;  I 
will  give  unto  him,  that  is  athirst,  of  the  fountain  of 
the  water  of  Life  freely.  He  that  overcometh  shall 
inherit  all  things.  And  I  will  be  HIS  GOD,  and  he 
shall  be  MY  SON  !"     Hallelujah! 

34.  Therefore,  O  Jesus  !  thou  art  our  "  God," 
and  our  "Father,  even  our  'EVERLASTING  FA- 
THER,'" as  thy  Prophet  Isaiah  declared,  because 
WE  ARE  THY  SONS.     Hallelujah  ! 

35.  And,  according  to  thy  glorious  promise,  we 
SHALL  be  ''kept,''  and  shall  "NEVER  PERISH." 
Neither  shall  any  man  pluck  us  out  of  thy  Holy 
hand.     Hallelujah !  > 

36.  O  Jesus  !  our  Father,  and  our  God,  extend, 


I8g 


PRAYER. 


we  supplicate  thee,  thy  protecting  arm  of  power  cou' 
tinually  over  this  thy  Church  !  Amen !  Lord  Jesus. 
37.  Inspire  it  with  an  imperishable  faith,  and  an 
unceasing  belief,  that  thou,  0  Jesus  !  the  "CHILD 
BORN,"  and  "SON  GIVEN,"  art  "Wonderful!" 
"Counsellor!"  The  Mighty  God!  The  Everlasting 
Father!  The  Prince  of  Peace!  "Amen!  Amen!" 
•  38.  0  Jesus!  thou  HOLY  ONE !  we  worship  and 
adore  thee!  as  "all  the  Angels"  do  worship  and 
adore  thee;  and  as  all  the  ransomed  souls  in  thy  King- 
dom worship  thee,  the  "  true  God"  of  their  salvation. 
"  39.  We,  therefore,  give  thee  honor  and  glory, 
thanksgiving,  and  adoration,  and  praise!  And,  in 
the  language  of  thy  servant  David,  repeat  :*  "  Thine, 
O  Lord  !  is  the  greatness,  and  the  Power,  and  the 
glory,  and  the  Victory,  and  the  Majesty f'^^ 

40.  For  ALL  that  is  in  the  heaven,  and  in  the 
earth,  IS  THINE.  J 

41.  Thine  is  the  Kingdom,  O  Lord!§  And  thou 
art  EXALTED  as  head  above  all.  || 

42.  Both  riches  and  honor  come  of  thee,  and 
thou  reignest  over  all  henceforth  and  forevermore, 
"  without  end  !"     Amen  ! 

JVote, — Wherever  the  words  Amen,  or  Hallelujah, 
occur,  in  the  foregoing  prayer,  the  whole  of  the 
members  (and  the  audience)  shall  utter  or  ejaculate 
the  words.  They  are  not  to  be  uttered  by  the  per- 
son who  is  praying.  Those  who  have  copies  of  our 
Church  book,  at  the  time,  will  know  when  to  utter 
those  w^ords. 

JYote. — In  paragraph  19th,  the  words  State  Over- 
seer of  are  to  be  substituted  for  the  words  "  Chief 
Overseer  of"  when    a  State  Overseer  is  ordained. 

*    1  Chron.  xxix.  10,  11,  12.  f  Matt,  xxviii.  18. 

X  John  xvi.  15  J  Col.  i.  16.       §  Luke  i.  33.     ||  Col.  ii.  9,  10. 


ORDINATION.  189 

And  if  a  minister  is  ordained,  the  words  a  minister 
of  are  to  be  substituted.  ^There  shall  be  no  alter- 
ation  or  amendment  in  the  foregoing  prayer. 


ORDINATION,  OR  CONFIRMATION. 

After  the  prayer  is  ended,  the  Elder  elect  shall 
continue  to  kneel  ;  and  the  Chief  Overseer,  if  pre- 
sent, or  the  Brother  who  presides  over  the  Conven- 
tion, shall  lay  his  right  hand  on  the  head  of  the 
Elder  elect,  and  shall  be  followed  by  three  or  four 
ministers  and  elders  present,  when  he  shall  say, 
aloud  : 

2.  "In  the  NAME  of  the  LORD  JESUS :"  We, 
and  this  Convention,  confirm  and  ordain  thee  [the 
Chief  Overseer,  or  Presiding  Elder  of  the  Churches 
of '  The  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son,'  in  the  United 
States  of  America].  And  may  the  Holy  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  rest  and  abide  upon  thee !  Amen  !  The 
Overseer,  or  member  ordained,  shall  then  rise  from 
his  knees.  And  the  Convention  shall  then  sing  the 
hymn:  "Jesus,  Eternal  Son,  give  ear;"  and,  at  the 
termination  of  the  line,  "  0,  sanctify  thy  Overseer!" 
there  shall  be  a  slight  pause — and  the  Convention 
shall  say,  Amen!  After  the  hymn  is  sung,  the  Over- 
seer shall  then  receive  the  congratulations  of  those 
around  him.  [When  a  minister  is  Ordained,  the 
same  Hymn  is  to  be  used,  but  substituting  the  word 
Minister  for  Overseer.] 

3.  The  following  certificate  of  appointment  shall 
then  be  given  to  him,  signed  by  the  presiding  elder 
or  officer  of  the  Convention,  and  the  clerk  thereof.; 
and  witnessed  by  two  or  three  witnesses  :  when  he 
will  be  duly  and  fully  APPOINTED  to  take  charge 
of  his  great  and  responsible  duties. 


190  CERTIFICATE  TO  THE  ELDER. 

4.  The  Convention  shall  then  appoint  the  com- 
mittee to  take  charge  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Con^ 
ventioTiy  and  shall  then  adjourn  sine  die. 

5.  And  these  Conventions  shall,  in  no  instance, 
ORIGINATE  or  transact  any  other  business  than 
that  for  which  they  were  convened — namely,  the 
election  of  a  Chief  overseer^  or  of  a  State  overseen 
And  this  clause  shall  not  be  altered  or  amended. 

JVote. — When  a  state  elder  is  confirmed,  these 
words  are  to  be  substituted  within  the  brackets,  [a 
State  Elder  of  the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son,  for 

the  State  of ,  in  the  United  States  of  JUmerica  ;'\ 

or,  if  a  Minister  is  ordained,  [WE  and  this  congrega- 
tion ordain  thee  a  Minister  of  the  Church  of  the 
Eternal  Son,  and  of  the  everlasting  Gospel  of  our 
God  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.]     Amen! 


CERTIFICATES  TO  THE  CHIEF  ELDER 
AND  STATE  ELDERS. 

This  is  to  certify.  That,  at  a  Convention  of  Dele- 
gates from  all  the  Quarterly  Meetings,  in  the 

held  at  on  the  in  the 

year  of  our  Lord,  for  the  purpose  of 

electing  a  to  preside  over  "  The 

Churches  of  the  Eternal  Son,"  in  the 

The  Convention  being  organized  according 
to  discipline,  proceeded  to  ballot  for  Candidates  for 
the  office,  when  those,  having  the  three  highest  num- 
ber of  votes,  were  selected  according  to  rule.  After 
which  the  Convention  proceeded  to  ballot  for  ONE 
candidate  for  the  office  of  [Chief  Elder].  After 
counting  the  votes,  our  beloved  Brother  had 

the  highest  vote,  and  a  majority  vote  of  the  Con* 


CERTIFICATES.  191 

vention  over  the  three  candidates,  and  was  duly- 
chosen  [Chief]  Elder  elect,  of  the  CHURCH  OF  THE 
ETERNAL  SON,  in  the  And, 

after  being  duly  questioned,  by  the  Convention,  on 
the  leading  points  of  the  doctrines  of  "the  Church 
of  the  Eternal  Son,"  comprised  in  the  Twenty-eight 
Questions  contained  in  our  Church  Book,  Part  III., 
Chapter  6th,  he  declared  that  he  was  fully  persuaded 
of,  and  did  fully  believe,  all  the  doctrines  contained 
therein  without  reservation.  And  being  further 
questioned  relative  to  his  belief  in  the  Doctrines 
contained  in  our  Church  Book,  generally, — In  the 
first,  second,  third  and  fourth  parts  thereof ;  That  is, 
in  the  Introduction  ;  the  Address  ;  the  Title  of  the 
Church ;  and  the  Explanation  of  the  Title  ;  and  the 
Articles  of  Faith  and  Doctrine,  and  the  Arguments, 
and  the  several  Articles  under  the  head  of  Organiza- 
tion of  the  Church  ;  and  the  Illustration  of  the  Faith 
and  Doctrine  of  the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son,' — He 
declares  himself  a  full  believer  in  the  Doctrines  con- 
tained therein.  We,  therefore,  commend  him  to  the 
Brotherly  love  and  care  of  the  members  of  this 
Church  throughout  the  And  the  Local 

Overseers  of  the  individual  churches,  throughout 
the  (wide)  circuit  of  his  duties,  WILL  SEE  that  his 
TEMPORAL  WANTS  ARE  SUPPLIED  ;  and  that 
his  traveling  expenses  are  paid  ;  and  that  he  is  other- 
wise aided  in  his  highly  responsible  office  of  OVER- 
SEEING the  churches  faithfully  and  with  vigilance, 
so  that  all  the  Doctrinesof  this  Church  and  the  Dis- 
cipline are  observed  and  maintained  inviolably  by 
all  its  members.  And  he  is  herewith  authorized  to 
oversee  all  the  churches  in  the  And  to  see 

that  the  [^State  Elders],  in  particular,  discharge  their 
duties,  and  are  mfull  Faith  and  Belief  in.  the  Doc- 
trines of  this  Church,  in  their  preaching  and  exam- 


192  CERTIFICATES. 

pie.  He  shall  visit  each  [State,  where  a  Church  is 
established,  at  least  once  a  year] ;  and  correspond, 
as  often  as  practicable,  with  the  Elders  of  the  States. 
And  he  shall  carefully  preserve  the  Letters  of  his 
Correspondents,  and  duplicates  of  his  own  letters  to 
ihemy  all  of  which  he  shall  hand  over  to  the  [Gene- 
ral] Conference  to  be  preserved  by  that  body.  (He 
shall  call,  with  the  advice  of  a  majority  of  the  State 
Elders,  a  General  Convention,  upon  emergent  occa- 
sions, and  shall  SEE  that  the  Annual  [Conferences 
of  the  States  are  duly  organized  and  attended  ;  and 
that  the  General  Conferences  of  all  the  States  are 
duly  held].  And  that  the  individual  Churches  are 
DULY  ORGANIZED  by  the  State  Overseers.)  And, 
in  the  name  of  JESUS,  the  Eternal  Son  and  ''  TRUE 
GOD,"  may  the  work  of  the  Gospel  prosper  in  his 
hands!  And  may  "the  Grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ"  (Rev.  xxii.  21),  rest  and  abide  upon  him. 
Amen ! 
(Signed)  ******  **#***^  President 

of  the  Convention. 
*#*  *****   Q]gj.]j 


Witness : 


****  ***** 


The  foregoing  certificate  is  to  be  signed  by  the 
presiding  officer  of  the  Convention,  the  clerk,  and 
three  or  more  Elders,  or  delegates. 

The  above  certificate  to  the  Chief  Elder  will  an- 
swer for  the  CERTIFICATE  TO  THE  STATE 
ELDER,  by  substituting  and  omitting  the  following 
words  as  they  occur  in  rotation.  Those  words 
within  the  square  brackets,  are  to  be  substituted,  and 
those  within  the  cwrvec? parentheses  omitted.  Thus: 
—for  Chief  Elder  substitute  [State  Elder]  [State], 
omit  ("wide"),  substitute  [Local  Overseers] 
[Church  in  the  State  once  in  three  months],  [Annual 


STATE  OVERSEERS  OR  ELDERS.        193 

State];  omit  ("He  shall  call,  with  the  advice," 
&c. ;)  substitute  for  "Conferences  of,"  &c.,  [State 
Conference  is  duly  organized  and  attended.]  The 
Brackets  must  be  omitted  in  the  written  certificates 
to  the  Elders. 

The  State  Elders  chosen  by  each  State,  or  Dis- 
trict, shall  be  examined  by  the  twenty-eight  Ques- 
tions, and  confirmed  or  ordained  in  like  manner. 
Also,  such  of  our  traveling  ministers,  or  others  who 
may  desire  ordination  ;  i^  but  in  no  case  shall  the 
liberty  of  any  Brother  be  infringed  upon,  who  is 
called  of  the  Lord  to  preach  the  Gospel  without  the 
form,  of  ordination,  or  of  a  certificate  :  His  authority 
shall  be  tJie  same  as  if  formally  ordained.  For  we 
maintain  as  a  Church,  that  each  and  every  Brother 
must  implicitly  obey  the  leadings  and  directions  of 
the  Holy  "Counsellor,"  without  any  human  con- 
trol ;  and  "go  forth,"  and  preach  the  Gospel,  as 
HE,  the  Lord,  may  dictate.  AND  THIS  LIBERTY 
OF  ACTION,  TO  OBEY  THE  "VOICE"  OF 
JESUS,  SHALL  NEVER  BE  TAKEN  AWAY 
from  a  brother,  nor  shall  it  be  in  any  way  contra- 
vened by  ?ir\j  fiiture  act  of  this  Church,  either  by  the 
way  of  amendment,  or  of  a  new  Article  :^^  For  we 
are  determined,  through  the  help  of  Jesus,  that  he 
Aimse//*  shall  REIGN  SUPREMELY  in  this  Church. 


CHAPTER   Vn. 

THE  STATE  OVERSEERS,  OR  ELDERS. 

1.  The  State  Elders  shall  be  chosen  by  a  Con- 
vention of  THREE  DELEGATES  from  all  the 
Quarterly  meetings  IN  THE  STATE.     But  in  no 


194  STATE  OVERSEERS  OR  ELDERS. 

case  shall  a  Local  Overseer  of  a  particular  church 
be  created  a  delegate  to  these  Conventions  held,  to 
elect  an  Elder. 

2.  The  State  Convention  shall  proceed  to  Elect, 
Question,  Ordain,  and  Confirm  the  State  Elder  in 
the  same  manner  as  the  Chief  Overseer,  or  Elder,  is 
Elected,  Ordained,  and  Confirmed.  The  candidates 
shall  be  men  who  have  the  evidences  of  the  Holy- 
Spirit  abounding  in  their  lives  and  actions ;  they 
shall  know  their  duty,  BY  A  DIRECT  TESTI- 
MONY, from  the  Holy  Spirit,  even  the  voice  of 
Jesus!     John  xiv.  26,  xv.  26. 

3.  THE  INCEPTIVE  ORGANIZATION  of  a 
State  shall  be  as  follows: — Three  or  more  distinct 
churches  shall  compose  a  Quarterly  Meeting. 
When  ONE  is  established  in  a  State,  it  shall  pro- 
ceed immediately  after  its  organization,  to  elect  and 
confirm  a  State  Overseer  or  Elder  (PRO  TEM.),  ac- 
cording to  discipline,  for  ONE  YEAR.  And  he  shall 
be  elected  annually,  until  six  or  seven  Quarterly 
Meetings  are  established.  They  shall  then  elect 
Delegates  to  a  State  Convention,  which  shall  Elect 
and  Confirm  an  Elder  or  Overseer,  for  Jive  years. 

4.  The  State  Elders,  or  Overseers,  shall  have  the 
general  oversight  of  the  churches  of  the  3tate,  under 
their  care,  and  SEE,  like  the  Chief  Elder,  that  all 
the  doctrines  of  this  Church  are  faithfully  adhered 
to,  and  maintained  by  the  Local  Overseers,  and  the 
ministers  and  the  members  generally.  And  they 
shall  see,  that  the  spiritual  duties  of  the  churches 
are  conducted  with  ZEAL  AND  FERVOR,  and 
"IN  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT,"  in  accordance  with 
the  doctrines  of  the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son,  laid 
down  in  our  Church  Book. 

5.  They  shall  promote  peace  and  harmony  in  the 
churches  under  their  care;  they  shall  arbitrate 
between  contending  parties,  if  such  should  arise ; 


STATE  OVERSEERS  OR  ELDERS.  195 

and  if  love  cannot  prevail,  they  shall  SEE  that  the 
offenders  are  suspended  from  membership,  accord- 
ing to  discipline.  They  shall  see  that  the  INCEP- 
TIVE organizations,  and  the  NEW  CHURCHES, 
REPORT  to  the  Chief  Elder,  and  to  themselves. 
And  these  reports  shall  be  carefully  preserved^  and 
handed  over  by  him  to  the  Annual  State  Conference^ 
for  safe  keeping.  ^i^^No  Inceptive  ov  fully  organized 
Church  will  be  recognized  as  a  branch  of  the  Church 
of  the  Eternal  Son,  unless  it  thus  report. 

6.  They  shall  SEE  that  the  SPIRITS  of  the 
Prophets  are  SUBJECT  to  the  Prophets,  and  that  the 
Doctrines  and  Rules  laid  down  in  the  Address,  Chap- 
ter X.,  are  strictly  adhered  to,  and  that  all  who 
have  the  gifts  of  preaching,  exhortation,  or  prophe- 
sying, or  prayer,  may  exercise  their  various  gifts,  as 
Jesus  giveth  them  ability.  This  is  the  chief  duty  of 
the  Elders.  And  it  behoveth  them  to  SEE  that  all' the 
members  who  have  spiritual  gifts,  do  employ  them 
with  ^^zeaV*  and  .^^  fervor ;''''  so  that  they  may  al- 
ways keep  in  view  THE  SALVATION  OF  IMMOR- 
TAL SOULS  as  above  all  other  considerations. 

7.  The  Elders  will,  therefore,  SEE  that  no  Bro- 
ther, in  this  glorious  work  of  the  Gospel,  assume 
any  authority  over  another ;  "  For  ye  can  all 
preach,  or  prophesy,  one  by  one,"  saith  the  Apostle, 
"that  all  may  hear,  and  all  be  comforted."  1  Cor. 
xiv.  31.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  State  Over- 
seers, or  Elders,  like  the  Chief  Overseer,  to  travel 
through  the  section  of  the  country,  over  which  they 
have  jurisdiction,  and  establish  churches,  and  see 
that  the  churches  already  established  are  duly  organ- 
ized. They  shall  visit  each  regularly  organized 
church  at  least  ONCE  in  three  months;  and  endea- 
vor to  visit,  or  attend  each  QUARTERLY  MEET- 
ING in  the  State.  The  State  Overseers  shall  hold 
their  office  for  a  term  of  FIVE  YEARS. 


196  THE  MINISTRY. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
THE  MINISTRY. 

1.  Such  of  our  Ministers  as  are  called  of  the  Lord 
to  travel  into  distant  districts,  for  the  promulgation 
of  the  glorious  Gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ,  and  to  establish  churches y  in  the  NAME 
OF  JESUS,  according  to  the  rules  of  the  Church  of 
the  Eternal  Son,  shall,  on  application  to  a  regular 
Monthly  meeting,  (if  a  majority  of  the  meeting  so  de- 
cide,) receive  a  recommendation  to  the  next  Quar- 
terly meeting  for  a  certificate  of  confirmation^  after 
he  has  been  duly  interrogated  hy  the  Monthly  meet- 
ing through  the  twenty-eight  Questions.  Part  III., 
Chap.  VI. 

2.  And,  if  the  Monthly  meeting  decide  against 
an  applicant,  he  may  appeal  from  their  decision  to 
the  Quarterly  meeting,  or  to  the  highest  tribunal  of 
this  Church  in  the  State,  namely,  the  Annual  State 
Conference,  whose  Aecision  shall  he  final  m  all  cases 
of  appeal,  unless  the  State  Conference  should,  in  their 
wisdom,  refer  the  matter  to  the  General  Conference. 

3.  When  a  Monthly  meeting  has  granted  the  re- 
commendation, it  shall  be  carried  up  to  the  next 
Quarterly  meeting ;  and  if  a  majority  of  the  Quarterly 
meeting  so  decide,  the  certificate  shall  be  given  to 
the  member,  after  he  has  been  duly  confirmed,  or 
ordained  according  to  rule.  See  Form  of  Confirma- 
tion, Part  III.,  page  181.  Although  education  and 
eloquence  are  commendable,  the  WANT  of  these 
in  an  applicant  shall  he  no  har  to  his  obtaining  the 
following  CERTIFICATE. 

4.  This  is  to  certify  that  our  beloved  Brother 
A —  B —  of  the  Quarterly  meeting  of  "The  Church 
of  the  Eternal  Son,"  in  ,  in  the   county  of 


THE  MINISTRY.  197 

and  in  the of ,  has  been  duly 

examined^  by  his  Monthly  meeting,  through  the 
TWENTY-EIGHT  QUESTIONS,  in  our  Church 
Book,  Part  III.,  Chapter  VI.  And  further,  on  be- 
ing questioned  by  this  meeting,  declares  himself  a 
full  believer  in  the  doctrines  contained  in  said  hook 
generally.  We,  therefore,  commend  him  to  the  Bro- 
therly love  and  care  of  the  members  of  the  Church 
of  the  Eternal  Son,  (and  to  all  who  love  the  truth 
as  it  is  in  JESUS,)  as  an  ordained  Minister  of  the 
"Everlasting  GospeP'  of  our  LORD  AND  SA- 
VIOUR JESUS  CHRIST.  And  he  is  HEREBY 
AUTHORIZED  to  establish  churches  according  to 
the  RULES  contained  in  our  Church  Book;  furnish- 
ing each  church  with  a  copy  of  our  Church  Book  as 
early  as  practicable,  containing  the  Rules.  In  the 
NAME  OF  JESUS,  the  "ETERNAL  SON"  and 
"  TRUE  GOD,"  may  the  work  of  the  Lord  prosper 
in  his  hands.  Amen! — JY.  B. — These  certificates 
are  to  be  signed  by  the  clerk  of  the  Quarterly 
meeting,  and  by  three,  or  more,  church  overseers, 
or  ministers;  each  one,  if  practicable,  should  be 
a  member  of  a  distinct  church. 

5.  WE  WISH  IT  CLEARLY  UNDERSTOOD, 
that  the  OBJECT  of  the  above  certificate  is  to  sat- 
isfy those  strangers,  amongst  whom  a  Brother  may 
be  led,  that  he  is  a  Minister  of  the  Church  of 
the  Eternal  Son.  And  we  recommend  our  Ministers 
generally  to  obtain  one.  If  a  Minister  is  led  among 
strangers,  they  will  then  have  confidence  that  his  acts 
are  sanctioned  by  this  church. 

6.  NEVERTHELESS,  any  member  who  has 
spiritual  gifts,  is  AT  LIBERTY  to  go  wherever  JE- 
SUS m^j  direct  him,  with  no  other  certificate  than  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  (J#-We  discard  all  bondage 
in  this  church  ;  and  THIS  LIBERTY  of  obeying  the 


198  THE  MINISTRY. 

immediate  impulses  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  travel,  or  go 
forth,  at  any  moment^  in  the  cause  of  TRUTH,  shall 
NEVER  BE  TAKEN  AWAY  FROM  ANY  MEM- 
BER OF  THIS  CHURCH  by  any  future  law,  or 
amendment :-#D  [Neither  shall  any  alteration  be 
made  in  the  doctrines  or  rules  of  this  church,  but 
by  a  majority  vote  of  all  the  churches,  over  three' 
fourths^  in  convention,  for  that  purpose.] 

7.  Our  ministers  and  members  shall  bring  with 
them  a  convenient  copy  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  at 
the  time  of  our  meetings,  for  worship:  because  our 
Halls  for  divine  worship  are  to  he  unchangeably  cou' 
structed  WITHOUT  pulpits^  reading-desks,  galleries 
or  high  seats,  (witness  those  which  have  crept  into 
the  Quaker  church):  Therefore,  all  of  our  Ministers 
or  members  must  have  their  own  Bible  to  refer  to. 

8.  OUR  HALLS  FOR  WORSHIP  are  to  have 
four  sections,  gradually  rising  from  a  space  in  the 
centre,  as  laid  down  in  the  plan,  in  this  our  Church 
Book.  This  will  enable  the  audience  in  every  part 
of  the  Hall  to  see  the  speakers  without  changing 
their  positions,  and  afford  all  our  brethren  in  any 
section,  an  opportunity  to  speak  to,  and  face  the 
audience. 

9.  The  Quarterly  meeting  shall  appoint  a  commit- 
tee to  supply  the  poor  of  our  church  with  a  copy  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures.  These  copies  shall  be  printed  under 
the  direction  of  a  committee  appointed  by  the  General 
Conference;  which  committee,  under  the  direction 
of  the  Conference,  shall,  also,  see  that  the  standard 
works  on  our  faith  and  doctrines  are  published,  and 
disseminated.  As  many  errors  have  occurred  in  the 
Division  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  into  Chapters  and 
Verses,  and  in  the  Punctuation,  by  which  their  true 
meaning  is  perverted,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
General  Conference,  at  its  first  sitting,  to  appoint  a 


THE  MINISTRY.  199 

committee,  (to  be  composed  of  the  Chief  Elder  and 
several  capable  men,)  who  shall  deliver  unto  the 
next  General  Conference,  for  their  approval,  a  copy 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  corrected  and  revised:  so 
that  the  division  of  the  chapters  and  verses,  and 
the  punctuation,  shall  accord  with  the  doctrines  and 
faith  of  the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son  ;  but  there 
shall  be  no  alteration  made  in  the  wording:  If  there 
are  indisputable  errors  in  the  translation,  they  shall 
be  put  on  the  margin,  and  referred  to. 

10.  The  following  errors,  in  the  present  division 
and  accentuation  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  will  be 
sufficient  as  an  example:  In  1st  Timothy  chap.  vi. 
the  15th  verse  commences  and  reads,  '*  Which,  in 
'his  times,  he  shall  shew,  who  is  the  blessed,  and  only 
potentate,"  &c.  The  division  should  be  at  the  word 
'''"who^^'^  so  that  the  15th  verse  should  begin,  and 
read:  "  15.  WHO  IS  the  blessed,  and  only  poten- 
tate, the  KING  OF  KINGS  and  LORD  OF 
LORDS."  The  present  division  at  the  word  "which" 
destroys  the  sense:  it  implies  that  Jesus  will  shew 
**in  his  times,"  who  is  (or  what  beivg  is)  the  only 
potentate,  whereas  the  meaning  is  that  Jesus  will 
shew,  "m  his  times,^^  whether  his  commandments 
have  been  kept;  i^or  he  himself' IS  the  only  Potentate. 
See  this  division  corrected.  Quest.  XI.  No.  6,  7th 
paragraph.  The  14th  verse  should,  therefore,  termi- 
nate at  the  word  "shew;"  and  the  stop,  or  colon, 
put  at  the  end  of  it;  and  not  as  it  is  now  divided 
and  accented.  Also  the  7th  chapter  of  the  Epistle 
to  the  Hebrews  should  begin  at  the  4th  verse  of 
said  chapter;  the  connection  between  the  holy 
name  "Jesus,"  in  the  20th  verse  of  the  6th  chapter, 
and  the  3d  verse  of  the  7th  chapter,  would  then  be 
complete;  the  1st  and  2d  verses  of  the  7th  chapter 
are  a  parenthesis,  and  should  be  thus  designated. 


200  THE  MINISTRY. 

11.  There  are  many  other  deficiencies.  The  se- 
cond chapter  of  Revelation  should  begin  with  the  20th 
verse  of  the  first  chapter:  as  it  opens  the  subject  by 
the  Lord  Jesus  himself.  There  are  many  errors  in 
accentuation  and  punctuation,  and  in  capital  letters. 
We  shall  instance  two  of  the  latter.  In  Rev.  xix.  16, 
where  the  Word  is  called  "KING  OF  KINGS  AND 
LORD  OF  LORDS,"  these  words  are  in  capitals, 
as  they  should  be.  But  in  the  17th  chapter  and  14th 
verse,  when  the  Lamb  is  called  "Lord  of  Lords," 
and  "  King  of  Kings,"  there  is  no  such  honor  given 
to  him;  the  words  are  in  small  letters  as  we  have 
given  them — these  words  should  also  be  in  capitals, 
for  the  WORD  is  the  LAMB.  The  words  "  by  him- 
self," Heb.  i.  3,  should  be  in  capitals,  because  they 
imply  that  his  "OWN  ARM  brought  salvation,"  as 
the  Prophet  Isaiah  declares.  In  Rev.  xxi.  23,  the 
words  "  For  the  GLORY  OF  GOD  did  lighten  it,  and 
THE  LAMB  is  the  LIGHT  thereof,"  should  be 
marked  as  w^e  give  it.  These  intimations  are  suffi- 
cient. 

12.  If  any  of  our  ministers  should  be  cowiselled 
by  the  Lord  to  speak  on  any  special  subject,  which 
would  require  more  time  than  could  be  allotted  to 
them  in  our  general  meetings  of  worship,  and  where 
the  exhortations  and  sermons  must  be  very  brief, 
they  are  recommended  to  appoint  a  meeting  for 
that  very  purpose^  when  they  can  deliver  their  mes- 
sage without  molestation.  Our  ministers  shall  be 
allowed  to  preach  and  pray  (when  invited  so  to  do), 
in  such  churches  as  maintain  the  Holy  Trinity  and 
the  Eternal  Sonship;  but  they  shall  be  accountable 
to  this  church,  if  they  do  not  pray  at  all  times  DI- 
RECTLY to  the  Lord  Jesus,  as  in  the  Ordination 
prayer ;  and  if  they  do  not  maintain  our  doctrines 
generally  in  their  exhortations  and  prayers. 


DIVINE  WORSHIP.  201 

CHAPTER  IX. 

DIVINE    WORSHIP. 

MEETINGS— HOW  CONDUCTED. 

As  all  the  members  of  this  church  profess  to  be 
led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  so  all  the  Brethren,  who 
are  led  to  preach,  pray,  or  exhort,  are  at  liberty  to 
do  so,  but  "  one  by  one,"  or  one  at  a  time ;  yet,  when 
mourners  are  seeking  salvation,  or  crying  for  mercy 
— then  each  member  is  to  do  his,  and  her  duty,  by 
speaking  and  praying  to  each  mourner  at  the  same 
time,  even  whilst  the  leading  prayers  and  exhorta- 
tions are  going  on.  There  should  be  no  cessation: 
FOR  "THE  KINGDOM  OF  HEAVEN  SUFFER- 
ETH  VIOLENCE,  AND  THE  VIOLENT  TAKE 
IT  BY  FORCE,"  saith  Jesus.  See  Matt.  xi.  12. 
Therefore,  the  singing  of  suitable  "hymns  with  the 
chorus,"  such  as  "Glory  be  to  Jesus!""  Hove  Jesus, 
hallelujah!"  "There  is  NONE  like  Jesus,''  &c.  &c., 
during  the  intervals  of  the  leading  prayers — (as  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Churches) — is  very  effective 
and  comforting  to  the  mourners. 

2.  A  large  portion  of  the  churches,  at  the  present 
day,  are  encumbered  with  heavy  debts.  These 
debts  are  the  result  of  expensive  edifices,  and  a 
paid  ministry.  We  have  no  paid,  and  no  settled 
ministry.  Neither  do  we  approve,  nor  allow  of  any 
school  of  divinity,  or  of  theology,  for  GOD  hath 
often  CHOSEN  THE  WEAK,  the  foolish,  and  the 
base  things  of  this  world,  to  confound  the  things 
that  are  mighty;  so  that  no  flesh  shall  glory  in  his 
presence.     See  1  Cor.  i.  26 — 29. 

3.  When  a  Brother  feels  the    Spirit  of  prayer 
16 


202  DIVINE  WORSHIP. 

upon  him,  he  shall  rise  from  his  seat,  and  say  aloud, 
so  as  to  be  heard  by  the  congregation  :  "  Brethren, 
let  us  pray  !" — and  then  bow  himself  on  his  knees, 
unto  Jesus;  and  as  HE  dictatesy  so  pray.  The 
Brother,  by  thus  announcing  his  purpose,  prepares 
the  congregation  for  the  act  of  prayer,  so  that  all 
may  kneel  and  join  in  at  the  same  time.  Any  bro- 
ther may  call  on  another  to  pray,  yet  if  a  brother 
thus  called  on,  withhold,  the  first  brother  shall  not 
repeat  the  call,  nor  call  on  any  other  to  pray,  at  that 
interval,  because,  we  allow  of  no  leaders  in  this 
church.     Jesus  alone  is  our  Leader  and  Counsellor, 

4.  We  allow  our  gifted  women  to  help  us  by  vocal 
prayer,  in  our  select,  or  prayer  meetings.  This  is 
according  to  the  Scriptures,  Phil.  iv.  3;  Acts  i.  14: 
and  to  speak  to,  and  pray  Vith  mourners  of  their 
own  sex,  especially,  and  to  take  them  under  their 
care  immediately  after  conversion. 

5.  As  we  say,  in  the  preface  or  introduction  to 
this  Book,  page  12,  "THE  OBJECT  of  this  church 
is,  first,  to  awaken  in  the  souls  of  men  a  true  belief 
in  the  DIVINITY  and  eternity  of  Jesus,  the  Son  of 
God  ;"  and  to  persuade  men  to  come  to  him,  *^the 
true  God,"  so  that  they  may  become  converted,  or 
"  born  again"  by  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
with  fire:  And  to  gather  such,  and  all  true  believers 
into  one  Church,  that  there  may  be  ^^  onefold  and 
one  shepherd,^"*  even  Jesus.  John  x.  16, 

6.  We,  therefore,  earnestly  direct  that  all  the 
members  of  this  church,  according  to  their  gifts, 
keep  THIS  OBJECT  in  view,  in  and  OUT  of  our 
meetings,  and  always  to  exhort  and  pray  with  those 
families  or  persons  who  may  give  them  liberty  so  to 
do. 

7.  During  the  time  of  our  meetings  of  worship, 
when  the  power  of  Jesus  is  manifested  in  the  audi- 


DIVINE  WORSHIP.  203 

ence,  and  whilst  the  exercises  are  going  on,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  such  as  have  divine  strength, 
to  go  forth  through  the  meeting — and  particularly 
amongst  the  unconverted — and  in  a  low  tone  of 
voice,  exhort  them  to  repentance,  and  to  have  faith 
in  Jesus,  and  endeavor  to  persuade  them  to  come 
forward  to  be  prayed  for  and  conversed  with  at  the 
mourner^ s  benches,  which  shall  be  set  apart  for  those 
who  want  counsel.  When  a  person,  who  appears 
indifferent  to  the  subject  of  religion,  is  questioned  by 
a  brother,  or  a  sister,  it  should  always  be  done 
under  the  direction  and  counsel  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

8.  When  a  person  is  serious,  or  under  conviction, 
or  mourning  to  be  comforted,  the  first  INTERRO- 
GATIONS to  be  put  to  him,  are:  HAVE  YOU 
ENJOYED  RELIGION  AT  ANY  TIME?  Do 
you  now  enjoy  the  blessing?  Do  you  belong  to  any 
church?  What  church  do  you  belong  to?  What 
religion  have  you  been  brought  up  in?  Have  you 
been  up  to  be  prayed  for  before?  The  brother 
or  sister  will  then  know,  how  the  mourners  stand 
affected,  and  how  they  have  been  schooled. 

9.  It  is  much  easier  to  bring  the  soul  of  an  open 
sinner,  who  has  made  no  profession  of  religion,  into 
repentance,  and  into  the  New  Birth,  than  one  who 
has  been  schooled  in  ^a/se  doctrines,  or  than  one  who 
is  a  ^^  lukewarm^ ^  professor  of  religion.  Such  as 
these,  have  joined  a  church  on  probation,  (which 
we  do  not  allow,)  after  being  awakened,  or  have  he- 
come  full  members,  without  being  converted  by  the 
baptism  of  "the  Holy  Ghost,  and  with  fire.''  We 
say,  it  is  much  easier  to  bring  an  open  sinner  into 
repentance  and  the  new  birth,  than  such  as  these  : 
because  such,  in  addition  to  the  false  doctrines  they 
entertain,  have  imbibed  a  notion  that  they  possess 
saving   grace,   because  they  are  attentive   to  the 


204  DIVINE  WORSHIP. 

church  duties  J  and  the  ordinances  thereof;  and, 
therefore,  it  is  hard  to  renew  such  to  sincere  repent- 
ance, because  the  prejudices  of  education,  and  of 
self -righteousness,  act  as  powerful  barriers  in  the 
way  of  the  soul's  salvation. 

10.  It  was  so  with  the  professing  Jews.  Jesus 
declared  unto  them  :  "The  publicans  and  the  harlots 
GO  INTO  THE  KINGDOxM  OF  GOD,  BEFORE 
YOU,"  Matt.  xxi.  31,  32. 

11.  This  saying  of  our  Lord,  is  another  evidence 
that  "  the  KINGDOM  of  God  is  WITHIN"  the  souls 
of  regenerated  men,  as  Jesus  declares,  Luke  xvii. 
20,  21.  Saint  Paul  testifies  that  no  unclean  person 
shall  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God  ;  neither  can  they 
ever  enter  the  Holy  City,  New  Jerusalem  :  but  are 
**  outside'^'*  thereof."  See  Eph.  v.  5,  Heb.  xiii.  4, 
Rev.  xxii.  15. 

12.  Therefore,  the  meaning  of  the  above  saying  of 
Jesus,  is :  that  "  publicans  and  harlots"  are  cleansed 
and  made  pure,  are  converted,  regenerated  or  "ioni 
again,'*'*  "  before  you  ;"  (witness  Mary  Magdalen.) 
Such  as  these  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God 
WITHIN  THEM:  where  Jesus  and  the  Father 
make  their  abode,  as  he  saith  :  *'  We  will  make  our 
abode  with  him,"  Johnxiv.23.  And  the  kingdom 
of  God  is  then  set  up  in  the  soul.  He  saith,  in 
another  place,  "/i/i  them,  and  thou  in  me,'*'*  John 
xvii.  23. 

13.  THE  SECOND  INTERROGATION  to  be 
put  to  the  unconverted  mourner,  is — Do  you  sincerely 
desire  to  have  your  soul  converted,  and  to  become  a 
child  of  i^  Jesus ^9  or,  if  a  backslider — do  you  de- 
sire full  redemption  from  sin,  and  are  you  willing  to 
have  the  blessing  in  any  way  the  Lord  may  give  it 
to  you  ? 

14.  After  the  foregoing  questions  are  asked,  it 


DIVINE  WORSHIP.  205 

will  be  the  duty  of  the  brother  or  the  sister  to  ex- 
hort the  mourner  to  trust  in  Jesus,  somewhat  in  this 
manner: 

15.  Brother  (or  Sister),  you  say  you  want  reli- 
gion; you  want  to  have  your  soul  converted  !  Well, 
Brother,  "  there  is  no  other  name,"  saith  the  Apostle, 
"  under  heaven,  given  among  men,"  whereby  we 
must  be  saved,  than  *'  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
JVazarethy^'^  who  was  ^'crucified;''''  neither  is  there 
^^  salvation  in  any  other^  Acts  iv.  10,  11,  12. 
Jesus  saith,  *'  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor,  and 
are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  res^."  "Take 
my  yoke  upon  you,"  saith  Jesus,  "  and  learn  of 
me,  for  /  AM  meek  and  lowly  in  heart,  and  ye  shall 
find  rest  unto  your  souls :  For  my  yoke  it  is  easy, 
and  my  burden  it  is  light."  Do  you  believe  these 
words?    To  which  the  mourner  should  answer.  Yes. 

16.  Jesus  declares,  ''^Blessed  are  they  that  mourn, 
for  they  shall  he  comforted."  Brother,  you  are  here 
as  a  mourner.  That  power  which  has  awakened  you 
to  a  sense  of  your  danger  of  eternal  torment,  and 
misery,  and  woe,  where  you  would  be  forever  sepa- 
rated from  God,  and  all  the  holy  angels,  and  forever 
from  your  friends  and  relations  which  have  died 
before  you,  and  have  gone  to  glory,  and  eternal 
happiness — that  power  which  has  thus  awakened 
you,  IS  THE  POWER  OF  JESUS  :  it  is  the  Spint 
of  the  Lord  Jesus,  that  NOW  strives  in  your  soul ; 
and,  therefore,  he  says,  it  is  a  blessing  thus  to  mourn, 
and  to  see  your  lost  condition  without  the  conver- 
sion of  your  poor  never-dying  soul. 

17.  Brother,  look  to  Jesus  !  he  can  and  will  save 
you  this  day,  this  hour,  if  you  trust  in  him.  He  laid 
down  his  precious  lifeybr  you  on  the  cross  ;  yes,  he 
died  on  Calvary's  mount  to  redeem  you.  Do  you 
not  believe  it.?     Answer — Yes. 


206  DIVINE  WORSHIP. 

18.  He  declares,  "if  any  man  thirst,  let  him 
come  unto  me,  and  drink;"  yes,  dear  mourner,  he 
will  give  you  *'the  water  of  life  freely.'*''  Jesus 
declares:  ''I  am  the  way^  the  truth,  and  the  life-. 
no  man  cometh  unto  the  Father,  but  by  me."  Do 
you  believe  this  ?     Answer — Yes. 

19.  Therefore  you  must  look  to  JESUS,  and 
venture  on  his  mercy  :  pray  unto  Jesus,  Brother ! 
because,  he  declares,  "  no  man  cometh  unto  the 
Father,  but  by  me.^"*  Say:  Bless  me.  Lord  Jesus! 
and  forgive  me  my  sins  for  thy  own  holy  name^s 
sake.  Say,  Lord  Jesus  !  Bless  me,  ?l  poor  sinner.  All 
these  prayers  must  be  uttered  audibly  by  the  mourn- 
er, so  that  the  teacher  can  hear  them. 

20.  If  the  mourner  has  not  faith,  as  is  often  the 
case,  to  utter  this  prayer,  and  to  take  the  Holy 
name  of  Jesus  on  his  sinful  lips,  he  must  be  en- 
couraged, by  the  declarations  of  Jesus  and  his 
Apostles.  Say  unto  him :  Saint  Peter  declares, 
"  Whosoever  shall  call  on  the  NAME  OF  THE 
LORD,  shall  be  saved. ^^ 

21.  Now,  Brother,  the  NAME  of  the  Lord  IS 
JESUS  ;  and,  if  you  would  be  saved,  you  must  call 
on  HIS  name.  Brother,  now  say.  Bless  me.  Lord 
Jesus !  and  forgive  me  my  sins  for  thy  OWN  holy 
name^s  sake  !     Do,  Lord,  for  thy  own  name's  sake  ! 

22.  Brother!  say:  Lord  Jesus,  wash  me,  and 
make  me  clean  in  the  blood  of  thy  cross  ! — say,  O 
Jesus!  thou  hast  died  for  sinners !  I  am  a  poor,  sin- 
ful creature,  as  thou  knowest.  O  God  !  thou  hast 
died  for  all  who  will  come  unto  thee !  /  have  come 
unto  thee  NOW,  O  Lord !  Say,  Thou  knowest,  O 
Lord,  that  I  cannot  make  myself  any  better,  for  thou 
art  *'the  Lord,  our  righteousness,"  and  "without 
thee  I  can  do  nothing!"  Say,  Lord  Jesus!  wash 
me  IN  THE  BLOOD  OF  THY  CROSS,  and  clothe 


DIVINE  WORSHIP.  207 

my  poor  soul  with  thy  righteousness,  for  there  is  none 
good  BUT  ONE,  and  that  "  HOLY  ONE"  is  THY- 
SELF, 0  Jesus,  my  Saviour. 

23.  In  this  manner,  words  are  to  be  put  into  the 
mouth  of  mourners,  who,  in  many  instances,  have 
no  power  to  pray  ;  for  they  see  their  true  condition 
as  sinners,  and  feel  themselves  too  unworthy  to  pray ; 
and  sometimes  they  are  too  ignorant  to  pray.  One 
will  say,  /  cannot  pray.  Then  the  praying  brother 
must  encourage  the  mourner  after  this  manner : 

24.  Jesus  declares.  All  manner  of  sin  shall  be 
forgiven  of  men,  but  the  sin  against  the  Holy 
Ghost.  He  declares,  through  the  Prophet,  "  Though 
your  sins  be  «5  scarlet,  they  shall  be  white  as  snow.^^ 
"  Though  they  be  red  like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as 
wool.^^  He  declared  to  the  penitent  and  dying  thief 
on  the  cross  :  **  This  day  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in 
paradise!"  Dear  mourner,  you  can  trust  him:  the 
thief  trusted  in  him,  and  was  saved  !  You  can  pray, 
if  you  try :  and  YOU  MUST  PRAY  TO  HIM, 
or  I'ou  will  he  lost  to  all  eternity. 

25.  Say,  Lord  Jesus,  I  am  not  worthy  to  name  thy 
holy  name.  I  am  a  sinner  altogether,  and  come  unto 
thee,jws^  as  I  am,  for  help — help  me,  0  Lord,  to  pray ! 
teach  me,  O  Lord,  how  to  pray  aright  \  forgive  me,  0 
Lord,  a  poor  sinner,  who  has  ventured  on  thy  mercy, 
and  cast  off  my  load  of  sin,  and  give  me  a  new  heart. 
Thou  hast  promised  the  Holy  Spirit  to  those  who 
would  ask  thee  for  him ;  I  have  no  claim  on  thee,  O 
Lord,  but  thy  promise,  LORD  JESUS!!  Give  me 
thy  Holy  Spirit  according  to  thy  promise,  and  O, 
dear  Lord,  deliver  and  keep  me  from  the  power  of 
Satan, 

26.  0  Lord  Jesus,  make  me  a  new  creature ;  I 
want  to  be  a  new  creature  ;  O  Jesus,  I  want  to  be  a 
child  of  thine. 


208  DIVINE  WORSHIP. 

27.  O  Lord  Jesus!  let  me  "  pass  from  death  unto 
life,"  according  to  thy  words,  and  be  "  born  again." 
O  Lord  Jesus!  I  want  to  be  born  again,  to  be  born 
of  God,  even  OF  THEE.  O  Lord  Jesus!  make  me 
thy  Child  by  "the  Spirit  of  adoption." 

28.  O  Lord  Jesus!  increase  my  faith,  and  take 
all  doubts  of  thy  mercy  out  of  my  heart ;  take  away 
all  doubts  of  thy  mercy  out  of  my  heart ;  do,  Lord  I 
do,  Lord! — now,  Lord,  let  thy  saving  Blessing  come ; 
do.  Lord!  do.  Lord! — Baptize  me  now.,  Lord,  with 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  with  fire.  Let  thy  Baptism  come 
now.,  Lord!  0  let  it  come  now  !  O  let  me  be  one 
of  thy  lambs.,  one  of  thy  sheep,  and  I  will  then  fol- 
low thee,  O  Lord!  my  Jesus!  my  Saviour! — and  thee 
only!  I  W\\\  follow  ^Aee,  whithersoever  thou  dost 
lead  me,  and  thee  only. 

29.  Bless  thy  name,  0  Jesus  !  Bless  thy  name  for 
what  thou  hast  done  for  me! — Glory  be  to  Jesus! — 
O  bless  the  Lord,  0  MY  SOUL!  for  what  he  has 
done  for  me! 

30.  I  WILL  praise  Jesus,  my  Saviour,  for  what 
he  has  done;  I  love  him,  and  I  WILL  PRAISE 
HIM! !  O  Glory!  Glory  !  Glory  be  to  Jesus!  Hal- 
lelujah to  his  name ! 

31 .  If  the  mourner  prays  in  the  foregoing  manner, 
and  with  the  first  dawn  of  comfort  and  happiness, 
gives  JESUS,  the  Saviour,  the  glory  and  praise, 
HE  will  soon  comfort  him  more  fully,  by  a  more 
glorious  evidence,  and  perfect  his  work  by  the  instan- 
taneous NEW  BIRTH  of  the  soul,  and  the  Holy  gift 
of  the  Comforter  himself.     Amen,  Lord  Jesus! 

32.  We  allow  such  as  are  "  Born  of  God,"  and 
are  in  full  faith  with  us,  if  they  are  not  members 
of  our  church,  to  speak  or  pray  in  our  meetings  of 
worship.  They  who  can  say  that  the  MAN  "  JESUS 
is  the  Lord — by  the  Holy  Ghost ;j"  1  Cor.  xii,  3; 


DIVINE  WORSHIP.  209 

and  who  worship  him  as  their  only  God  and  Sa- 
viour ;  and  who  believe  in  the  immediate  operations 
of  his  Holy  Spirit  as  we  do,  are  welcome  to  speak 
and  pray  in  our  meetings  of  worship. 

33.  But  if  any  person  should  advance  doctrines 
contrary  to  our  faith,  in  our  meetings,  and  distort 
the  truth ;  or  should  obstruct,  or  hinder  the  opera- 
tions of  the  Spirit  in  its  various  unfoldings  amongst 
us,  such  as  singing  or  shouting  the  praises  of  Jesus, 
or  otherwise,  as  is  manifested  at  the  Camp  or  prayer 
meetings  of  the  Episcopal  Methodists,  during  the 
seasons  of  revivals  amongst  them  ;  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  Overseers  to  go  to  such,  and  mildly  re- 
quest them  to  desist.  If  they  obstinately  refuse, 
they  shall  be  taken  into  custody  according  to  the 
civil  law,  and  removed  from  the  meeting.  We  do 
not  seek,  nor  desire  persecution  ;  and  therefore,  will 
not  tolerate  any  unlawful  act  in  our  meetings  of 
worship. 

34.  If  a  stranger  should  speak  more  than  once 
in  our  meetings,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Over- 
seers to  obtain  his  name,  and  inquire  into  his  cha- 
racter as  a  practical  Christian.  The  foregoing  pre- 
cautionary  rule  is  indispensable  in  our  church ; 
for,  while  our  discipline  gives  the  largest  liberty  to 
our  members,  it  also  opens  a  door  for  the  intrusion 
of  such  as  are  "  unlearned"  in  the  ways  of  true 
"godliness,"  and  whose  lives  are  not  consistent 
with  their  religious  professions. 

35.  At  the  hour  appointed  for  divine  worship,  any 
brother  who  is  "  m  the  Spirit,"  (Rev.  i.  10  ;  Matt. 
X.  20;  Eph.  vi.  18,)  is  at  liberty  to  open  the  ser- 
vices by  singing,  prayer,  or  exhortation ;  and  as  our 
Lord  commands  us  to  use  brevity  in  our  devotions, 
(Matt.  vi.  7,)  we,  therefore,  hope  none  will  consume 
the  time  of  our  religious  exercises  in  vain  displays 


210  DIVINE  WORSHIP* 

of  oratory^  or  metaphysical  definitions  ;  but  we  ex* 
hort  all  to  speak  and  pray  and  sing  in  the  "  demon- 
stration of  the  Spirit  and  of  power ;"  for  our  "  faith 
should  not  stand  in  the  wisdom  of  men,  but  in  the 
power  of  God.'^^    1  Cor.  ii.  4,  5. 

36.  We  cannot  appoint  any  particular  hour  for 
the  closing  of  our  day  meetings.  They  shall  be 
closed  by  singing  the  Hymn  :  **  Jesus,  from  whom 
all  blessings  flow."  This  can  be  done  by  any  bro- 
ther. But  if  the  singing  of  the  hymn  is  premature, 
and  another  brother  "  hath  a  revelation,"  and  is  desir- 
ous of  saying  aword  for  his  *'  Master,"  he  may  do  so. 
1  Cor.  xiv.  30, 32.  Our  night  meetings  shall  be  closed 
at  the  hour  of  TEN  O'CLOCK,  and  we  exhort  the 
Local  Overseers  to  see  that  this  rule  is  observed  as 
near  as  practicable  ;  for  the  best  members  of  a  church 
are  frequently  dependent  on  their  daily  labor;  and 
some  are  helps  in  families,  and  it  is  requisite  that  they 
should  be  at  home  early.  During  the  seasons  of 
great  revivals  in  our  meetings,  they  may  be  con- 
tinued without  intermission  from  10  o'clock  A.  M. 
until  10  o'clock  P.  M.  At  such  times,  the  brethren 
shall  be  careful  to  relieve  the  labors  of  each  other, 
so  that  each  may  obtain  nourishment  and  rest. 

37.  We  believe  in  the  Holy  power  which  fre- 
quently suspends  all  external  animation,  and  which 
entrances  the  children  of  Jesus.  This  glorious  power 
Saint  Paul  experienced.  He  records,  "Whether  in 
the  body  or  out  of  the  body,  I  cannot  tell.  God  know- 
eth."  2  Cor.  xii.  3.  Many  of  us,  even  whilst  discon- 
nected from  all  churches,  havey*e/^  this  power,  and 
its  sweet  and  heavenly  influence,  and  the  wonder- 
ful joy  which  has  followed  immediately  afterward. 
This  evidence  has  been  manifested  in  many  evan- 
gelical churches,  but  has  been  '•^  quenched'^''  in  all, 
except  the  Methodist  churches.     When   this  holy 


DIVINE  WORSHIP.  2  1 1 

power  is  in  our  midst,  those  who  are  thus  Blessed, 
will  require  no  external  application;  they  must  be 
left  under  its  holy  influence.  And  they  will  often 
revive,  rejoicing  with  "joy  unspeakable  andy^/Z  of 
glory,^^  especially  under  the  reviving  Power  of  sing- 
ing. We  are  thus  particular  to  specify  these  holy 
operations  of  the  Spirit;  because  many  have  been 
thus  held  for  several  hours;  and  their  friends  have 
been  alarmed,  not  understanding  the  source  and 
tendency  of  this  operation. 

38.  We  exhort  our  brethren  and  sisters  to  pray 
secretly  and  vocally  with  the  mourner,  without  ceas- 
ing^ until  they  obtain  the  ^^  spirit  ofprayer^  This 
obtained,  the  Lord  will  soon  work  out  the  soul's  salva- 
tion. The  prayers  of  the  soul  thus  Blessed,  are  often 
wonderful,  and  the  teacher  need  only  say  Amen,  in 
response.  The  mourners  must  be  continued  with, 
until  they  obtain  the  joy  and  transport  of  the  Holy 
Love  of  Jesus !  when  this  takes  place,  they  will  not  be 
ashamed,  but  will  generally  give  Jesus  the  glory,  in 
loud  transports  of  praise.  They  must  then  be  re- 
moved by  the  proper  individuals  to  the  converts' 
seats,  next  the  mourners'  s^anrf  or  station,  where  they 
can  pour  out  their  souls  as  Jesus  gives  them  utterance, 
(without  molestation  from  the  curious.) 

39.  When  our  members  invite  those  under  con- 
viction to  present  themselves  to  be  prayed  for, 
they  shall  speak  after  this  manner:  Fellow  "Pil- 
grims" to  the  grave  and  to  eternity,  you  that  are 
weary,  "and  heavy  laden,'*''  come  to  Jesus!  He  de- 
clares, "I  WILL  GIVE  YOU  REST!"  Come 
now! — rise  up  and  come  forward,  whilst  there  are 
mercy  and  salvation  for  you:  come  now! — come  to 
the  mourners''  benches,  and  we  will  counsel  you, 
and  pray  with  you  as  the  Lord  Jesus  may  help  us; 
rise  up  now!  and   come  forward! — come  forward! 


212  DIVINE  WORSHIP. 

you  may  not  have  another  opportunity.  "To-day," 
saith  the  Lord,  **if  you  will  hear  his  voice,  harden 
not  your  heart. ''^  Who  will  be  i\ie  first  one  to  come 
out  on  the  Lord^s  side?  Here  comes  one — two — 
three — &c. ;  now  sing,  Brethren,  sing  the  Invitation 
Hymn, — there  comes  another. — By  thus  enumerating 
or  naming  the  number  which  may  approach  the  sta- 
tion, (for  we  have  NO  ALTARS  in  our  church ;  we 
reject  the  word,)  the  congregation  and  members 
will  then  know  how  the  work  is  progressing,  and 
others  will  be  encouraged  to  come  forward  likewise. 
As  the  mourners  kneel  down  at  the  benches,  they 
shall  be  immediately  approached  by  those  who  have 
faith,  and  spoken  to  in  language  similar  to  that  ex- 
pressed in  the  foregoing  pages. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

CONVERTS  THROUGH  THE  FAITH  OF  THIS 
CHURCH,  AND  APPLICANTS  FOR  MEM- 
BERSHIP NOT  CONVERTED  AMONGST  US. 

1.  All  white  persons  who  have  passed  from  death 
unto  life,  and  have  been  "born  again,"  by  the  Bap- 
tism of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  Fire,  through  the  in- 
strumentality o(  2l  member  or  members  of  this  church, 
IN  or  OUT  of  our  meetings  of  worship,  shall,  {as 
children  of  Jesus,  begotten  through  the  faith  of  this 
church,)  be  adopted  at  once  as  members  of  the  Church 
of  the  Eternal  Son,  if  they  desire  so  to  become. 

2.  And  they  shall  be  upheld  and  supported  in 
their  growth  in  grace  and  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  in  the  various  dispensations  of  his  gifts; 
and  shall  be  instructed  in  a  true  understanding  of 


QUESTIONS.  213 

the  doctrines  contained  in  our  faith  and  principles, 
as  laid  down  in  our  church  book;  subject,  however, 
to  be  suspended,  according  to  our  rules y  if  wilful 
offenders. 

3.  We  do  not  limit  the  age  of  such  as  apply  for 
membership,  who  are  regenerated  through  us,  as  the 
instruments.  The  young  shall  become  members  of 
this  church,  because  the  young  in  years  are  more 
susceptible  of  divine  impressions  than  those  who 
are  more  advanced,  or  have  become  old  in  sin. 

4.  Saint  Matthew  records  that  when  the  chief 
priests  and  scribes  saw  ^Hhe  children  crying  in  the 
temple,  and  saying  Hosanna  to  the  Son  of  David! 
they  were  sore  displeased."  "And  Jesus saith  unto 
them,  Yea:  have  ye  never  read.  Out  of  the  mouth  of 
BABES  and  sucklings  thou  hast  PERFECTED 
praise,"  Matt.  xxi.  15, 16  ;  so  we  as  a  church  believe. 
Therefore,  the  Prophet  Isaiah,  prophesying  of  this 
Gospel  event,  saith,  "  The  child  shall  die  an  hun- 
dred years  old,"  (he  means  in  grace,)  "but  the  sin- 
ner being  an  hundred  years  old,  shall  be  accursed." 
Isa.  Lxv.  20.     Because  he  is  not  "born  again." 

5.  Yet  we  do  not  allow  any  person  to  have  A 
VOTE  in  this  Church  under  the  age  of  SIXTEEN 
YEARS,  and  none  shall  become  an  overseer  nor  a 
delegate,  under  the  age  of  TWENTY-ONE  YEARS, 
unless  with  the  concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  the 
members  of  the  meeting  to  which  he  belongs. 


QUESTIONS. 

The  following  short  questions  shall  be  put  to 
ALL  APPLICANTS  without  exception,  who  HAVE 
NOT  been  converted,  regenerated,  or  "born  again," 


214  QUESTIONS. 

through  the  instrumentality  of  this  church,  or  one 
of  its  members.  And  this  rule  shall  never  be  altered 
or  amended.  The  questions  shall  be  put  to  them 
cffter  i\iey  have  handed  in  their  names  and  residence, 
and  be/ore  their  names  have  been  finally  recorded 
by  the  clerk,  in  the  Church  book.  Two  weeks  shall 
be  allowed  from  the  time  their  names  have  been  IN 
PERSON  handed  in,  until  they  become  members. 
A  committee  of  two  Local  Overseers  and  two  mem- 
bers, shall  be  appointed  to  examine  the  applicant, 
through  the  following  Questions,  and  report  to  the 
Church.  In  the  mean  time,  if  the  applicant  has  not 
read  our  Church  book,  the  QUESTIONS  shall 
be  handed  to  him  for  his  consideration,  before  they 
are  put.  If  the  committee  report  that  the  appli- 
cant believes  our  doctrines  and  faith,  according 
to  the  QUESTIONS,  his  name  shall  be  recorded  by 
the  clerk,  as  a  member  of  the  Church  of  the  Eter- 
nal Son,  and  the  record  announced  to  the  congrega- 
tion. At  the  end  of  each  separate  interrogation  in 
the  following  questions,  the  applicant  shall  answer, 
I  do  thus  believe. 


SHORT  QUESTIONS  TO  APPLICANTS  FOR 
MEMBERSHIP. 

Question  I.  Brother,  do  you  believe  that  the 
WHOLE  MAN— Christ  Jesus  of  Nazareth— the 
SON  of  God — who  suffered,  bled,  and  died  on  the 
Cross  on  Mount  Calvary, — He  w^ho  is  called  the 
Humanity — Do  you  believe  THIS  MAN  is  altogether 
ETERNAL? 

II.  Do  you  believe  that  he  "  WAS,  AND  IS"  the 
one  only  God  and  Saviour,  as  he  declares  to  the 


QUESTIONS.  215 

Prophet  Isaiah — "  Before  me  there  was  no  God 
formed,  neither  shall  there  be  after  me.  I,  even  I, 
am  the  Lord,  and  besides  me  there  is  no  Saviour V 
Answer,  I  do  thus  believe.  And  do  you  believe  in 
the  Holy  Trinity,  and  that  the  Eternal  Father  and 
the  Eternal  Holy  Ghost  dwelt  from  all  Eternity  in 
the  PERSON  of  Jesus,  the  Eternal  Son?  And  that 
Jesus,  AS  A  SON,  is  one  of  the  Eternal  Holy  Tri- 
nity ?  And  was  begotten  instantly  with  the  Father's 
own  existence  ? — And  that  thus  the  triune  God  was 
manifested? — And  therefore  the  Son  had  no  begin- 
ning, because  if  he  had  any  beginning,  he  would  not 
be  Eternal,  for  the  Prophet  saith,  he  was  "FROM 
EVERLASTING,"  or  Eternal,  and  therefore  "  THE 
SON"  is  called  the  "TRUE  LIGHT,"  and  is  the 
very  "Glory  of  God,"  and  the  perfection  and 
^^ brightness''^  of  the  Triune  Glory;  and  therefore,  if 
it  were  possible  to  separate  the  Son  from  the  Father, 
there  would  be  no  God,  n^r  glory,  because  the  Son 
IS  "the  TRUE  GOD  and  Eternal  Life?"  Do  you 
thus  believe?     Answer,  I  do  thus  believe. 

III.  Do  you  believe  that  THIS  SAVIOUR  who 
spake  to  Isaiah,  came  into  an  outward  manifestation 
"in  fullness  of  time,"  according  to  the  following 
declaration  of  the  Prophet  Isaiah :  "  Unto  us  a 
CHILD  is  Boruy  unto  us  a  SON  is  given,  and  HIS 
name  shall  be  called  Wonderful,  Counsellor,  The 
MIGHTY  GOD,  the  EVERLASTING  FATHER, 
and  the  Prince  of  Peace?"  Isa.  ix.  6.  Do  you  thus 
believe  ? 

IV.  Do  you  believe  that  these  are  the  holy  names 
of  Jesus,  the  "CHILD"  and  "SON"  born  in  a 
manger  at  Bethlehem,  Judea,  of  the  blessed  Virgin 
Mary  ?  HE  who  is  called  by  Saint  John,  the  WORD  ? 
And  he  declares  that  the  WORD  was  GOD.  And 
he  testifies  that  "  The  WORD  {or  God)  was  MADE 


216  QUESTIONS. 

FLESH  and  dwelt  among  us.'^  And  do  you  under- 
stand by  this  text,  that  "GOD  was  madejleshy^^  or, 
in  plain  language,  that  "GOD  was  MADE  MAN," 
and  therefore,  that  the  MAN  JESUS,  who  suffered, 
bled,  and  died  for  us,  WAS  GOD,— and  that  GOD 
was  the  Man}     Do  you  thus  believe? 

V.  Brother,  Jehovah  declared  to  Isaiah,  "  Before 
me,  there  was  no  GOD  formed,  neither  shall  there 
be  after  me;  I,  even  I,  am  the  Lord,  and  besides  me 
there  is  no  Saviour. '^^  And  he  also  declared  to  the 
same  Prophet,  when  speaking  of  his  advent  into  the 
world,  "Behold  my  servant,  mine  elect,  in  whom 
MY  SOUL  delighteth."  Do  you  believe  that  this 
God  and  Saviour  then,  or  at  that  time,  HAD  A  SOUL  ? 
Answer,  I  do  thus  believe. 

VL  Do  you  therefore  believe  that  THIS  "SA- 
VIOUR"— he  who  also  declared  to  Isaiah,  "I  am 
the  First  and  I  am  the  Last,  and  besides  me  there 
is  no  God" — "came  down  from  heaven,"  as  he 
said,  and  clothed  HIS  OWN  SOUL  with  our  flesh 
from  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary?  And  that  IN  THIS 
MANNER  "God,"  the  Word,  and  Eternal  Son, 
"was  MADE  FLESH,"  by  assimilation,  and  dwelt 
among  us?     Do  you  thus  believe? 

VII.  Saint  John  records,  that  the  "Word  was 
God,"  and  that  the  Word,  or  God,  "  was  madeflesh,^^ 
agreeing  with  Saint  Paul,  who  declares  that  "the  se- 
cond MAN  is  the  Lord  (or  Jehovah)  from  heaven." 
Therefore,  as  the  MAN  Jesus  Christ  "is  the  Lord 
from  heaven,^ ^  do  you  believe  that  Jesus  had  but 
one  nature?  Answer,  I  do  thus  believe.  There- 
fore, do  you  reject  the  doctrine  which  teaches  that 
he  had  TWO  distinct  natures,  as  is  now  taught 
throughout  all  Christendom?  That  is,  they  teach, 
that  there  was  one  Divine  nature  or  Eternal  Son,  in 
the  Person  of  Jesus,  which  did  not  and  could  not  sif- 


QUESTIONS.  217 

ftr  and  one  human  nature^  which  they  also  call  the 
Son  of  God,  which  suffered,  and  died,  and  atoned 
for  our  sins.  By  which  doctrine  they  not  only  dele- 
gate the  atoning  merit  to  a  human  Son,  but  abso- 
lutely make  two  distinct  Sons  in  the  Holy  Trinity. 
And  there  are  many  who  hold  to  two  distinct  natures 
in  the  Person  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  who  have  tried  to 
mend  this  matter  by  rejecting  the  doctrine  of  the 
Eternal  Sonship  altogether;  like  Dr.  Adam  Clarke, 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  his  comment 
on  the  1st  of  Saint  Luke.  He  there  declares,  that 
the  Son,  as  a  Son,  is  not  Eternal,  and  "i5  inferior  to'''* 
God.  These  are  Socinians.  For  the  true  mark  of 
a  Socinian  and  Unitarian  (no  matter  how  disguised) 
is  this: — That  he  denies  the  Eternity,  Divinity,  and 
Equality  of  the  Son  with  the  Father.  Do  you,  there- 
fore, reject  this  doctrine  of  two  distinct  natures,  in 
the  Person  of  the  Lord  Jesus?  Answer,  I  do  reject 
this  doctrine  of  two  distinct  natures  in  the  person  of 
the  Lord  Jesus. 

VIII.  Jesus  declares,  "He  that  seeth  ME  seeth 
HIM  that  sent  me."  This  is  a  parable  or  a  mystery  to 
the  unbelieving.  But  unto  you  who  say  you  believe 
in  but  one  nature,  and  that  the  MAN  ^^was  God,^^  in 
one  nature,  this  is  no  mystery;  because,  by  that 
saying,  "he  that  seeth  me  seeth  him  that  sent  me!" 
You  believe  that  they  who  saw  Jesus,  saw  the  "  Fa- 
ther also,'*''  as  Jesus  declares,  "If  ye  had  KNOWN 
ME,  ye  should  have  known  my  Father  also,  and 
from  henceforth  ye  know  him,  and  have  SEEN 
HIM."  John  xiv.  7.  Therefore  you  perceive  at 
once  that  Jehovah,  even  the  Saviour,  who  spake  to 
Isaiah,  '^  senV*  him.self  That  is,  the  "Saviour" 
came  forth  into  an  outward  manifestation  "into 
the  world,"  as  he  declares,  and  as  Saint  Paul 
testifies,  "he  took  upon  him  the  FORM  of  a  ser- 
17 


218  QUESTIONS. 

vant."  By  which  his  inward  glory  was  "  veiled  in 
the  flesh."  This  was  manifested  in  his  Transfigura- 
tion on  the  Mount,  when  "his  face  did  shine  as  the 
s^uuy  and  his  raiment  was  white  as  the  light. ^"^  Do 
you  thus  believe? 

IX.  Do  you  therefore  understand  by  the  words 
of  Jesus,  "I  and  my  Father  ARE  ONE,"  that  he 
w^as  the  very  "Immanuel"  himself,  which  means, 
God  with  us?  Matt.  i.  23.  Therefore  you  reject  the 
doctrine  as  now^  taught  in  the  Theological  schools, 
that  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  or  the 
Godhead,  are  separate  or  distinct  from  the  Man 
Jesus,  who  died  for  us.  But  you  believe  that  the 
Man  Jesus,  who  died  for  us,  is  the  very  Eternal  Son 
himself  even  the  Second  Person  in  the  Holy  Trinity. 
And  therefore  the  true  belief  is  this.  That  the  Eter- 
nal Father,  and  the  Eternal  Holy  Ghost,  dwell 
in  THE  MAN  JESUS,  the  ETERNAL  SON, 
"Bodily,"  as  they  did  dwell  from  everlasting,  and 
therefore,  Jesus  is  called  "THE  TRUE  GOD,"  by 
Saint  John,  he  Being  "God  "  in  Trinity  and  in  One- 
ness or  unity.     Do  you  thus  believe? 

X.  Therefore  do  you  believe  that  it  was  the  Man 
Jesus,  the  Eternal  SON,  who  declared,  "Let  US 
make  man  in  our  Image,  after  OUR  Likeness." 
And  that  it  was  JESUS,  the  Son,  who  appeared  to 
Abraham  "in  the  plains  of  Mamre."  And  that  it 
was  JESUS,  the  Son,  who  appeared  to  Moses  on  the 
Mount,  and  gave  him  the  Commandments.  As 
Saint  Paul  testifies,  "our  fathers"  "did  all  drink  of 
that  same  spiritual  drink,  for  they  drank  of  that 
SPIRITUAL  Rock  that  followed  them,  and  that 
ROCK  i^as  CHRIST."  Do  you  thus  believe?  And 
it  is  recorded  in  the  Book  of  Daniel,  that  it  was 
"THE  SON  OF  GOD"  who  appeared  in  the  fiery 
furnace  with  Shadrack,  Meshack  and  Abed-nego, 


QUESTIONS.  219 

and  preserved  them  from  the  flames.  In  this  scrip- 
ture the  name  **Son  of  God"  is  given  to  the  Divine 
being.  Daniel,  iii.  25.  And  he  certainly  then  eocisted 
as  a  Son.  Do  you. thus  believe?  Answer,  I  do  thus 
believe. 

XI.  And  do  you  therefore  believe  that  it  was  this 
very  "SON  OF  GOD"  and  "Saviour"  "which 
protected  Shadrack,  Meshack  and  Abed-nego  from 
the  fiery  flames?"  that  Mediated,  ?ind  "BY  HIM- 
SELF purged  our  sins,"  as  Saint  Paul  declares, 
Heb.  i.  3?  Answer,  I  do  thus  believe.  Brother, 
this  agrees  with  the  Saviour's  declaration  to  the  Pro- 
phet Isaiah:  "Mine  OWN  ARM  Brought  salvation 
unto  me,  and  my  fury  it  upheld  me."  And  there- 
fore Jesus  declared,  "And  now,  0  Father,  glorify 
thou  me  with  thine  otvn  self  vj'iih  the  G/ory  which  I 
HAD  with  thee  BEFORE  the  WORLD  WAS." 
See  John  xvii.  5.  By  which  you  perceive  at  once 
that  Jesus  existed  in  Glory,  as  a  Son,  before  the 
world  was.  And  that  HE  "was  God"  himself,  and 
Mediated  by  himself  between  us  and  THE  WRATH, 
even  the  ^^worm  that  dieth  not,  and  the  FIRE  that 
is  not  quenched.'''' — And  that  it  was  God  "  by  Him- 
self'' which  died  on  the  Cross,  as  Saint  Paul  testifies 
Heb.  i.  3.     Do  you  thus  believe? 

XII.  Do  you  therefore  believe  that  as  it  "  mas 
God''  "BY  HIMSELF,"  who  JWe<^ia^e</ between  us 
and  "THE  WRATH,"  where  their  "worm  dieth 
not,  and  the  fire  is  not  quenched?"  That  it  ^^mas 
God'*''  who  "i^as  tempted  in  all  points,  like  as  we 
are,  yet  without  sin?"  And  that  it  "was  God" 
who  died  on  the  cross,  and  rose  again  on  the  third 
day?  And  that  that  death  was  real^  for  "God" 
said,  "I  lay  down  my  life — no  man  taketh  it  from 
me;  but  I  lay  it  down  OF  MYSELF."  He  there- 
fore "  gave  up  the  Ghost,"  and  gave  up  his  holy  Body 


220  QUESTIONS. 

to  be  buried  in  the  sepulchre.  But  his  soul  or  Eter^ 
nal  Image  was  that  very  "  day"  with  the  thief 
which  he  redeemed,  in  Paradise.  And  thus  we  were 
purchased  by  the  Blood  of  God,  as  Saint  Paul  de- 
clares in  the  Holy  Ghost,  "Feed  the  Church  of 
God  which  he  hath  purchased  with  HIS  OWN 
BLOOD."     Do  you  thus  believe? 

XIII.  Jesus,  the  Son  of  God,  saith  to  Saint  John, 
in  the  first  chapter  of  the  Revelation,  at  the  time 
that  John  "fell  at  his  feet  as  dead,"  "Fear  not, 
I  am  the  First  and  the  Last ;  I  am  HE  that  liveth, 
and  WAS  DEAD."  Again,  he  saith  in  the  2d 
chapter,  8th  verse,  "Thus  saith  the  First  and  the 
Last,  which  WAS  DEAD."  And  again  in  the  18th 
verse,  he,  the  First  and  the  Last,  declared  himself 
to  be  "the  SON  of  God."  Brother,  here  you  have 
a  plain  declaration  that  the  First  and  the  Last  WAS 
DEAD.  And,  as  John  "fell  at  his  feet  as  dead," 
you  also  learn  that  no  man  can  see  Jesus  the  Son 
of  God  in  his  unveiled  glory,  in  his  glorified  body, 
and  live.  And,  therefore,  do  you  believe  that  it  was 
Jehovah  who  died  on  the  Cross,  he  who  declared 
"I  am  the  First,  and  I  am  the  Last,  and  besides  me 
there  is  no  God?"  Isa.  XLiv.  6.  And  as  Jesus  was 
God,  and  is  God,  do  you  therefore  believe  that  JE- 
SUS THE  SON  will  reign  omnipotent  over  all  cre- 
ated beings,  and  over  all  things,  and  that  "unto his 
government  and  reign"  "there  will  be  NO  END?" 
Luke  i.  33. 

XIV.  The  Apostle  declares,  Heb.  xii.  2,  that 
"  Jesus, — for  the  JOY  that  was  set  before  him,  en- 
dured the  cross,  and  despising  the  shame,  is  set 
down  at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of  God."  Do 
you  believe  that  this  JOY,  that  Jesus  our  "Lord  and 
our  God"  had  in  contemplation,  was  the  certain 
salvation  of  the  elect  through  His  own  sufferings 


(QUESTIONS.  221 

and  death  on  the  cross  ?  And  that  this  JOY  set  before 
him  was  the  happiness  of  the  rejoicing  millions  of 
redeemed  souls  which  he  had  purchased  through 
his  **own  Blood,"  and  not  as  some  have  impiously 
asserted,  that  Jesus  had  more  personal  joy  in  expect^ 
ation  FOR  HIMSELF?  This  was  impossible,  for 
he  himself  is  infinite  in  his  perfections,  and  nothing 
can  add  or  take  away  from  him.  Do  you  thus  be- 
lieve? Answer — I  do  thus  believe. 

XV.  And  do  you  believe  that  ^'the  right  hand 
of  God,^^  spoken  of  in  the  text  above,  is  his  POW- 
ER? as  Jesus  declares,  "Hereafter  shall  ye  see  the 
Son  of  Man  sitting  at  the  right  hand  of  the  POWER 
of  God:''  in  another  place  he  says,  "of  POWER." 
See  Luke  xxii.  69;  Matt.  xxvi.  64.  And  therefore 
the  text  does  not  mean  at  the  right  hand  of  some 
OTHER  God,  as  some  believe,  but  at  the  ^^  right  hand 
oj  Power.'"  And,  do  you  believe  that  the  Intercession 
of  Jesus  with  the  Father,  is  within  the  souls  of  men, 
and  not  in  a  kingdom  afar  otf,  without  or  outside  of 
the  souls  of  men,  as  some  suppose?  for  Jesus  de- 
clares, "Behold!  the  KINGDOM  OF  GOD  IS 
WITHIN  YOU!"  Luke  xvii.  21.  Therefore,  when 
a  man  is  ^^ Born  again,''  he  is  already  IN  "the 
Kingdom  of  God,"  even  in  this  life.  And  he  has 
passed  through  the  strait  gate,  and  narrow  way  into 
life  already.  And  do  you  understand  by  the  words 
"  Kingdom  of  God,"  "  a  place"  where  Jesus  IS,  and 
where  he  REIGNS ;  and  not  as  some  suppose,  that 
these  words  are  metaphors,  or  figures  of  speech') 
But  do  you  understand  that,  as  Jesus  has  promised 
in  the  new  birth  to  make  his  "ABODE"  in  you, 
see  John  xiv.  23,  and  xvii.  23,  Jesus  THEN  is  in 
his  OWN  KINGDOM,  within  you  ACTUALLY,  and 
that  therefore  he  saith,  you  "shall  never  perish?" 
Do  you  thus  believe? 


222  QUESTIONS. 

XVI.  The  Prophet  Isaiah  declares  that  the  "Child 
born  and  Son  given,"  is  your  "EVERLASTING 
FATHER,"  (Isa.  ix.  6.)  Can  you  therefore  pray- 
to  Jesus,  your  "Everlasting  Father  which  is  in 
heaven,"  as  in  the  Lord's  Prayer?  He  is  your  Fa- 
ther by  creation,  redemption,  and  adoption,  as  he 
declares,  "He  that  overcometh,  shall  inherit  all 
things,  and  I  will  be  HIS  GOD,  and  he  shall  be  MY 
SON."     Do  you  thus  believe  ? 

XVII.  Are  you  regenerated,  or  "  Born  again?"  to 
which  he  or  she  shall  answer,  I  am.  When  did  it  take 
place?  Can  you  tell?— Was  it  done  AT  ONCE?— 
or.  Do  you  believe  that  the  New  birth  is  an  instanta- 
neous act  of  God's  mercy?  Answer,  Yes.  Did  you 
feel  your  sins  forgiven,  and  that  you  had  received 
the  Holy  Spirit,  and  that  you  could  give  JESUS  all 
the  Glory  ^  Answer,  Yes.  Do  you  believe  your- 
self to  be  one  of  Christ's  sheep?  and  do  you  believe 
his  saying,  "that  they,  (or  yourself,)  shall  never 
perish?"  Answer,  Yes.  Do  you  hear  the  voice  of 
Jesus  as  a  distinct  evidence^  bearing  witness  with 
your  spirit,  that  you  are  Born  of  God?  Answer, 
Yes.  Jesus  declares,  "Behold!  the  kingdom  of  God 
IS  WITHIN  YOU."  And  he  also  declares,  "Except 
a  man  be  born  again  of  water  and  the  Spirit,  he  can- 
not enter  the  Kingdom  of  God."  Therefore,  do  you 
believe  that  when  a  man  is  Born  again,  he  enters 
AT  ONCE  into  "Me  kingdom  of  God'*''  which  is 
set  up  within  the  soul?  Answer,  I  do  thus  believe. 
Jesus  also  declares,  that  "THE  WORLD"  cannot 
^^ receive^''  the  spirit  of  truth,  "because  it  seeth  him 
not,  neither  knoweth  him.  But  YE,  (his  children,) 
know  him,  for  he  DWELLETH  with  you,  and  shall 
be  IN  YOU."  Saint  John  declares,  "And  we  know 
we  are  of  God,  and  the  WHOLE  WORLD  lieth  in 
mickedness,^^     And,  therefore,  you  believe  that  the 


QUESTIONS.  223 

Mahometan  and  the  Pagan  heathen,  pind'Hhe  world ^^^ 
can  never  "enter  the  kingdom  of  God''  here,  or 
hereafter,  if  they  die  as  they  now  are?  Nevertheless 
you  believe  that  Jesus  will  have  due  mercy  on  them, 
because  of  their  ignorance.     Do  you  thus  believe? 

XVIII.  Do  you  believe  in  the  final  and  general 
resurrection  of  the  body,  "  at  the  last  day,"  and  the 
last  Judgment?  Answer,  Yes.  Do  you  believe 
that  the  devil  and  his  angels  are  fallen  creatures  ?  for 
Jesus  declares  that  "the  deviP'  "abode  not  in  the 
truth."  Brother,  you  therefore  believe  that  "the 
devil  and  his  angels,"  are  creatures;  h?i\ing  form 
and  shape,  as  w^e  read  in  the  first  Chapter  of  the 
Book  of  Job  ?  And  you  believe  they  are  not  influ- 
ences,  or  passions,  or  propensities ,  as  some  assert? 
But  you  believe  the  devil  is  the  cause  of  all  evil  ? 
you  believe  that  the  devil  and  his  angels  can 
"TRANSFORM"  themselves,  as  the  Apostle  de- 
clares, and  therefore  can  occupy  the  smallest  space, 
as  in  the  case  of  the  man  w^ho  had  the  "Legion?" 
You  believe,  nevertheless,  that  Jesus  has  all  '■'•pow' 
er"  over  the  devil,  and  all  things^  Do  you  thus  be- 
lieve ? 

XIX.  Do  you  believe  that  Water  Baptism  is  not 
essential  to  salvation,  and  that  it  should  not  be  main- 
tained^as  an  ordinance?  I  do  thus  believe.  Do  you 
believe  that,  as  a  regenerated  man,  declaring  your- 
self to  he  "  Born  of  God,''  and  that  as  the  "  Son  of 
Man,"  EVEN  JESUS,  "HAS  COME  UNTO  YOU 
OF  A  TRUTH,"  it  would  be  a  positive  denial  of 
the  presence  of  Jesus  IN  and  with  you,  to  partake 
of  the  outward  sacrament  of  bread  and  wine  ?  These 
were  eaten  to  "shew  forth  the  Lord's  death  until  he 
come!"  But  you  declare  that  he  HAS  COME  urito 
you.  And  therefore  by  eating  the  outward  bread  and 
wine,  you  would  really  AVOW  that  "  the  Son  of  man", 


224  QUESTIONS. 

has  not  come  unto  you.  Yet  you  believe  that  those 
who  are  not  Born  again,  raay  eat  the  outward  types 
until  they  obtain  the  substance,  which  is  "  Christ 
formed  within  them  the  hope  of  glory?"  Do  you 
thus  believe? 

XX.  Do  you  maintain  that  the  regenerated  chil- 
dren of  God  should  hold  no  Christian  fellowship 
with  Socinians,  Arians,  Unitarians,  Swedenborgians, 
&c.,  in  all  their  grades,  for  they  all  deny  the  Eter- 
nity of  Jesus  AS  A  SON,  and  deny  that  Jesus  is  *'  the 
Lord  God  of  the  holy  Prophets,"  as  he  declared  he 
was!     Do  you  thus  believe? 

XXI.  Do  you  believe  that  ALL  the  expressions 
of  our  Lord,  when  he  speaks  thus,  "The  Father  is 
greater  than  I, — of  myself  I  can  do  nothing,"  &c. 
&c.,  are  the  expressionsof  GOD,  because  as  "God" 
"was  made  flesh,"  it  behoved  him  to  SPEAK 
AS  A  MAN,  just  in  the  same  manner  as  he  was 
tempted  as  a  man;  and  therefore  the  expressions 
"JVly  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me?" 
were  like  unto  owr  temptations,  in  the  new  birth.  Do 
you,  therefore,  believe  that  these  and  similar  expres- 
sions are  not  expressions  of  inferiority^  which  is 
fully  explained  in  this  our  Church  Book?  Answer, 
I  do  thus  believe. 

XXIL  And,  as  Jesus  "was  God,"  and  is," The 
Mighty  God,"  and,  as  Saint  John  declares,  the 
"Son  Jesus  Christ  is  "THE  TRUE  GOD,"  do 
you  believe  he  is  ommpresent  and  omniscienf)  An- 
swer, I  do.  Therefore  as  you  believe  that  he  IS 
omniscient,  or  knoweth  all  things,  do  you  believe 
that  he  FOREKNOWS  and  has  FOREORDAINED 
all  things,  and  that  no  man  has  a  right  to  question 
the  wisdom  oi  his  decrees,  or  to  say  that  God  cannot 
do  this,  or  God  cannot  do  that  (as  some  impiously 
say)  ?     And,  therefore,  you  believe  that  he  cannot  be 


QUESTIONS.  225 

LIMITED,  being,  as  Saint  John  declares,  "THE 
ALMIGHTY  ?"  And  therefore  his  kingdom,  reign, 
and  dominion,  will  have  no  end !  Do  you  thus  be- 
lieve?    Answer,  I  do  thus  believe. 

XXIII.  Do  you  believe  that  the  "word  of  the 
Lord"  should  have  "free  course?"  and  that  each 
brother  should  have  liberty  to  exercise  his  gifts  as 
the  Lord  giveth  him  ability,  that  is,  to  preach,  ex- 
hort, sing  and  pray,  "yet  ONE  by  ONE"  as  the 
Apostle  records,  that  all  may  hear,  and  be  comforted  ! 
And  do  you  believe  that  each  member  should  have 
full  liberty  to  ejaculate  the  praises  of  Jesus,  even 
during  the  time  of  exhortation  and  prayer?  Do  you 
thus  believe? 

XXIV.  And  do  you  believe  that  as  the  Lamb  is 
the  Glory  and  Light  of  the  "  Holy  City,  New  Jeru- 
salem," for  "THE  LAMB  IS  THE  LIGHT 
THEREOF,"  Rev.  xxi.  23,  "the  Church  of  the 
Eternal  Son"  here  upon  earthy  should  give  unto 
JESUS  Eternal  Glory  for  all  things  which  it  has 
or  enjoys^  Therefore,  do  you  believe  that  when 
you  give  God  glory,  you  should  ejaculate  Glory 
to  Jesus! — Glory  be  to  Jesus! — Hallelujah  to  Jesus! 
— Hallelujah  to  the  Lamb  of  Calvary!  —  Glory 
to  God  in  the  highest,  who  died  for  us! — Glory 
to  God  who  purchased  us  with  his  own  Blood! — 
And  do  you  believe  that  it  would  be  denying  the 
supreme  divinity  of  Jesus  the  Son,  even  "  THE 
TRUE  GOD,"  to  give  Glory  to  God!  without 
NAMING  JESUS  AS  THAT  GOD  ?  Answer,  I  do 
thus  believe,  and  shall  thus  praise  Jesus. 

XXV.  Do  you  believe  that  the  following  miracu- 
lous gifts,  through  the  operation  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
which  we  read  of  in  1  Cor.  xii.,  4th  to  11th  verses, 
namely,  "Wisdora^Knowledge- — Faith-— The  gifts 
of  healing — Miracles — Prophecy— and  Discerning 


226  QUESTIONS. 

of  Spirits — do  you  believe  that  these  Gifts  are  at 
this  day  attainable  by  a  true  belief  in  the  sayings 
of  Jesus?  Because  these  gifts  are  promised  by  the 
Saviour  unto  "them  that  BELIEVE,"  Markxvi.  17, 
18.  And  because  the  Corinthians  who  had  the 
GiftSy  were  Gentiles  like  unto  us.  Do  you  thus  be- 
lieve? And  do  you  believe  that  the  "operations" 
of  the  Spirit  which  have  marked  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  since  the  days  of  John  Wesley 
up  to  the  present  day,  at  their  prayer — class — and 
camp-meetings, — namely,  the  shouts  of  triumph  and 
of  praise — the  loud  hallelujahs — the  joyful  laugh — 
the  thrill  of  glory,  and  showers  of  salvation  which 
often  suspend  the  outward  animation — do  you  be- 
lieve these  manifestations  are  "operations"  of  the 
Holy  Ghost?  And  do  you  approve  of  them,  and  do 
you  promise  to  sustain  these  evidences  by  precept 
and  example  ?  I  do  thus  believe  and  promise  through 
the  help  of  Jesus.  Brother,  amongst  the  gifts  above 
enumerated,  is  the  "  GIFT  of  faith.''''  Do  you,  there- 
fore, believe  that  "Faith  is  the  Gift  of  God,''''  as 
Saint  Paul  records?  And  as  faith  is  the  gift  of 
God,  do  you  believe  that  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  a 
sinner  or  any  creature  to  "  exercise  faith"  or  belief 
in  his  own  will9  you  therefore  reject  the  notion  that 
a  man  can  of  himself  ^^  exercise  faith"  or  "belief?" 
But  you  believe  that  we  must  obtain  faith  and  belief 
by  asking  for  it  of  God  in  fervent  prayer  as  we  do  ask 
for  all  other  blessings.  Do  you  thus  believe?  And 
do  you  believe  that  a  Miraculous  faith  IS  AN  ACT 
OF  GOD,  even  of  JESUS  through  the  creature,  be- 
cause if  "as  small  as  a  grain  of  mustard  seed,^*  it 
can  work  all  wonders?     Do  you  thus  believe? 

XXVI.  Do  you  believe  that  the  Protestant  Bible 
of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  as  now  received 
by  the  Christian  world,  is  "given  by  inspiration  of 


QUESTIONS.  227 

God"  and  "cannot  be  broken,"  as  Jesus  declares? 
Do  you  believe  that  when  Jesus  declared,  ^^  Search 
the  Scriptures,  for  in  them  ^  YE  THINK  ^  ye 
have  Eternal  Life — (and  they  are  they  which  testify 
of  ME:)  And  ye  will  not  Come  unto  me  that  ye 
might  have  life^^^  that  he  meant,  that  the  Old 
Testament  ^e5/i/?ec? throughout  OF  HIM?  [Note:  the 
New  Testament  was  not  then  written.]  And  yet 
^'yethink,^^  said  he  to  the  Jews,  "to  find  Eternal  Life 
in  them,  whereas,  ye  will  not  come  unto  ME,"  (your 
Saviour,)  "that  ye  might  have  Life."  He,  there- 
fore, rebuked  the  Jews  for  resting  their  salvation  on 
the  Old  Testament,  and  not  on  HIMSELF,  the  true 
Messiah.  Do  you  thus  believe?  And  do  you  pro- 
mise to  reject  all  those  Bibles  which  have  notes  and 
comments,  {if  they  are  not  directly  recommended  by 
this  church,)  from  your  dwelling  and  library,  and 
particularly  Dr.  Adam  Clarke's  "Commentary"  on 
the  Old  and  New  Testaments?  This  commentator 
thus  writes :  "  The  doctrine  of  the  ETERNAL  SON- 
SHIP  of  Christ  is,  in  my  opinion,  anti-scriptural,  and 
HIGHLY  DANGEROUS.  This  doctrine  I  reject," 
saith  he.  "This  doctrine  of  the  Eternal  Sonship  (he 
says)  destroys  the  Deity  of  Christ.''^  "  This  doctrine 
of  Eternal  Sonship  (saith  he)  I  must,  and  do  consider 
an  awful  heresy.''^  He  says,  the  son  is  ^Hriferior^^  to 
God — he  denies  "  that  the  divine  nature  of  Jesus  was 
THE  SON  OF  GOD."  See  his  comments  on  Saint 
Luke,  1  chap.,  35th  verse.  Therefore,  because  Dr. 
Clarke  denies  the  Almighty  Jesus — "The  First  and 
the  Last"—"  The  SON"— to  be  God,  and  Eternal— 
although  the  SON  is  one  of  the  Eternal  Holy  Trinity 
— and  as  he  declares  him  to  be  '^  inferior''^  to  God, 
do  you  promise  to  reject  these  commentaries,  and  all 
similar  works,  as  you  would  the  works  of  Voltaire 


S28  •       QUESTIONS. 

and  Paine,  from  your  family  and  dwelling?     I  do 
thus  promise. 

XXVII.  Brother,  amongst  the  many  agents  em* 
ployed  by  the  devil,  (in  conjunction  with  false  books 
on  Theology,)  to  overthrow  the  Christian's  evidences, 
and  to  set  at  naught  the  glorious  operations  of  the 
HolySpirit  mentioned  in  question  XXV.,  is  Mesmer- 
ism, and  its  adjuncts,  Clairvoyance  and  Pathetism. 
These  powers  of  false  magic  have  been  known  in 
all  ages, — and  largely  practised  in  France  in  the 
last  century];  but  never  have  they  assumed  an  aspect 
so  dangerous  as  at  the  present  day.  Some  Mesmer- 
izers  and  their  subjects  openly  attribute  the  miracles 
of  our  glorious  Redeemer,  and  the  operations  of  his 
power  in  his  churches,  to  these  dark  agents.  Our 
Lord  declares,  such  as  these  "shall  show  signs  and 
wonders  \o  seduce,  IF  IT  WERE  POSSIBLE,  the  very 
electy  See  Mark  xiii.  22.  (But  glory  be  to  Jesus, 
this  is  impossible.)  Brother,  so  far  as  we  have  had 
any  communication  with  these  men,  they  are  either 
infidels,  or  unbelievers  in  the  Eternity  and  Divinity 
of  the  Son  of  God  as  a  Son,  or  are  unregenerated  men. 
Do  you  therefore  believe  that  Mesmerism,  and  its  ad- 
juncts  Clairvoyance,  Pathetism,  &c.,  are  opposed  to 
the  Holy  Religion  of  the  Lord  Jesus?  and  do  you 
promise  to  give  no  support  unto  these  emissaries  of 
Satan,  nor  their  public  exhibitions?  Answer,  I  do 
thus  believe  and  thus  promise. 

XXVIII.  Are  you  fully  persuaded  of  the  truth  of 
the  foregoing  questions,  and  do  you  believe  them 
WITHOUT  RESERVATION?  To  which  the  ap- 
plicant shall  answer,  I  am  fully  persuaded  of  the 
truth  of  the  foregoing  questions,  and  do  believe  them 
without  reservation. 

After  putting  the  foregoing  questions  and  receiv- 
ing the  answers^  the  committee  shall  report  to  the 


LOCAL  OVERSEERS,  229 

church,  and  the  name  of  the  applicant  shall  be  re- 
corded by  the  clerk  as  a  member  of  the  Church  of 
the  Eternal  Son.  ^N.  B.  Several  persons  may- 
be questioned  at  the  same  time. 


CHAPTER   X. 

LOCAL  OVERSEERS  OF  INDIVIDUAL 
CHURCHES,  COLLECTION  OF  FUNDS,  &c. 

1.  Our  primary  meetings,  and  meetings  for  wor- 
ship and  discipline,  shall  be  under  the  charge  of 
Overseers.  They  shall  be  called  Local  Overseers, 
to  distinguish  them  from  the  traveling  Chief  and 
State  Overseers.  Every  new  Church,  of  thirteen 
Male  Members,  shall  appoint  two  of  them  by  ballot, 
at  the  time  of  their  organization. 

2.  The  Local  Overseers  shall  not  exceed  NINE 
in  number,  in  any  individual  Church.  They  shall 
be  elected  annually,  but  shall  not  be  eligible  to  office 
for  a  longer  term  than  two  years.  They  may  be 
re-elected  at  the  expiration  of  the  third  year. 

3.  They  shall  have  the  oversight  of  the  particu- 
lar Church  to  which  they  belong.  They  shall  be 
men  of  Faith  and  Wisdom,  discreet,  and  full  of 
charity  and  of  forbearance,  yet  of  FIRM  PUR- 
POSE. They  shall  SEE  like  the  Chief  and  State 
Elders,  that  our  Faith,  our  Doctrines,  and  our  Dis- 
cipline are  adhered  to,  and  practically  maintained 
by  the  members. 

4.  Our  glorious  Redeemer  declares,  "where  two 
or  three  are  gathered  together  in  MY  NAME,  (the 
name  Jesus,)  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them.'' 
Matt,  xviii.  20.  This  promise  is  always  fulfilled, 
when  the  "children"  of  Jesus  meet  together  in  hii 


230  LOCAL  OVERSEERS. 

name,  even  when  surrounded  by  a  sinful  and  unbe- 
lieving world,  if  they  keep  their  eye  single  to  HIS 
Glory. 

5.  Our  Ministers  and  our  Overseers,  as  special 
watchmen,  will  therefore  keep  on  the  watch.  Jesus 
thus  commands:  "What  I  say  unto  you,  I  say  unto 
ally  watch!"  Mark  xiii.  37. 

6.  And,  if  at  any  time  the  Power  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  should  not  be  manifested  at  a  meeting,  after 
it  has  ^^  waited  upon  him,^^  or  has  supplicated  him 
for  the  Blessing,  then  the  meeting  may  rest  assured 
that  there  is  an  ACHAN  in  the  camp.  (See  Joshua, 
7th  chap.,  5th  to  26th  verses.)  Some  individual,  or 
individuals  are  in  membership  with  us,  who  do  not 
believe  our  Doctrines  and  Faith;  they  are  either  back- 
sliders in  faith,  or  have  "  crept^^  into  our  Church 
**  unawares,"  with  the  "spoils"  of  the  enemy  hidden 
in  their  hearts ;  or  they  secretly  deny  that  JESUS — 
the  MAN  OF  CALVARY  who  died  for  us— is  the 
only  ^' true  God^^  and  ^^  only  Potentate''^  in  heaven, 
or  in  earth,  "  THE  KING  OF  KINGS  AND  LORD 
OF  LORDS." 

7.  In  a  case  like  this,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Overseers,  and  members  of  the  Church  generally, 
to  search  out  the  individual  or  individuals  by  all 
possible  means,  and,  if  it  should  be  necessary,  by 
questioning  the  whole  Church  through  the  Short 
Questions ;  and  where  the  offenders  are  found,  to 
suspend  them  from  membership — that  is,  if  they 
cannot  be  reclaimed  or  confirmed  in  our  Faith;  be- 
cause the  Church  may  rest  assured,  if  ONE  of  its 
members  is  corrupt,  the  whole  body  will  be  weak 
and  faint.  See  1  Cor.  xii.  25,  26.  It  was  so  in  the 
camp  of  Israel.  And  the  cause  MUST  be  removed, 
for  this  Church  SHALL  AND  MUST  be  kept  pure 

from  unbelief  in  the  Eternity  and  Divinity  of  the 


LOCAL  OVERSEERS.  231 

SON  of  GOD,  AS  A  SON,  and  in  his  glorious  say- 
ings, through  his  help ;  even  if  the  number  of  its 
members  should  be  few,  and  the  increase  slow. 
Because,  as  a  Church,  **We  live  by  faith  in  the 
SON  OF  GOD,  WHO  loved  US  AND  GAVE  HIMSELF 
FOR  us."  Gal.  ii.  20. 

8.  The  Local  Overseers  shall  also  provide  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  members  and  hearers.  They 
shall  keep  order  among  the  hearers  and  spectators, 
and  take  especial  charge  of  such  as  may  offend 
against  the  privileges  of  this  Church,  as  secured  by 
the  laws  of  the  country,  in  which  it  may  be  located. 
We  do  not  court  persecution,  and  therefore  have  de- 
termined in  all  mercy  to  maintain  our  civil  rights. 

9.  Our  Elders,  and  the  Local  overseers  and  mem- 
bers, are  cautioned  against  violating  the  Laws  of 
the  Government  under  which  they  live.  If  the  Laws 
oppose  our  principles,  we  are  Bound  to  submit  to 
them,  and  by  gentle,  and  kind  persuasion,  to  move 
the  Rulers  to  amend  the  laws  in  our  favor. 

10.  The  Local  Overseers  shall  attend  to  the  dis- 
bursement of  the  moneys  ofthe  Church,  and  they  shall 
aid  the  TREASURER  of  the  Church  in  collecting 
funds,  and  he  and  they  shall  render  to  the  Church 
at  their  monthly  and  quarterly  meetings  (for  each 
individual  Church  shall  also  hold  monthly  and  quar- 
terly meetings  of  Business),  an  accurate  account  of 
the  moneys  expended,  and  of  the  state  of  the  trea- 
sury ofthe  Church. 

11.  To  enable  this  church  to  meet  its  incidental 
expenses,  the  following  mode  of  collecting  funds 
shall  be  observed: — There  shallbe  no  collections  made 
at  any  of  our  public  meetings  for  worship,  for  this  or 
any  other  purpose.  We  think  this  mode  of  collect- 
ing money  highly  improper.  The  collections  must 
be  made  at  our  private  meetings  of  business. 


232  LOCAL  OVERSEERS. 

12.  There  shall  be  placed  at  the  doors  of  our 
Hialls,  or  places  for  public  worship,  a  suitable  box, 
for  such yree  contributions  as  the  liberal  may  wish  to 
contribute  to  our  Church,  labeled  "  Free  Contribution 
Box;"  or  the  Treasurer  may  receive  such  contribu- 
tions. 

13.  Each  member  of  this  Church  shall  pay  to  the 
Treasurer  of  his  respective  church  ten  cents  per 
month.  All  expenses  or  debts  not  met  or  paid  at 
the  end  of  the  year  by  the  ten  cent  collection  and 
free  contributions  at  the  door,  &c.,  shall  be  met  by 
a  voluntary  contribution  from  such  of  our  members 
as  have  the  means  of  contributing,  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  debts  and  contracts  are  met  by  the  Society  of 
Friends,  called  Quakers. 

14.  Any  donations  or  Legacies  left  to  a  particular 
Church,  or  a  general  monthly  or  Quarterly  meeting, 
shall  be  properly  secured  by  law. 

15.  All  the  Business  affairs  of  each  church  shall  be 
done  by  Ballot,  and  shall  be  decided  by  a  majority 
of  the  male  members  present,  after  due  notice  has 
been  given  to  the  members  generally ;  and  all  the 
primary  Business  by  Committees  appointed  by  a 
vote  of  the  church. 

16.  As  the  powder  and  government  of  this  church 
are  in  the  Holy  Spirit  of  Jesus,  so  WE  ALLOW  OF 
NO  LEADING  MEMBERS.  Therefore,  the  Chief 
Overseer  or  Elder,  and  the  State  Overseers  or  Elders, 
and  the  LOCAL  OVERSEERS  of  the  individual 
Churches,  or  the  Ministers  of  a  Church,  SHALL 
NOT,  at  any  time,  form  themselves  into  a  distinct 
body,  College,  or  Conclave,  as  in  the  Methodist 
Church,  and  others.  Neither  shall  this  Church,  by 
any  future  act  of  Legislation,  grant  unto  the  afore- 
said Officers,  as  A  DISTINCT  BODY,  general  or 
other  powers ;  but  these  Officers  shall  strictly  con- 


LOCAL  OVERSEERS.  233 

fine  themselves  to  the  various  duties  assigned  unto 
them  IN  OUR  RULES  OF  DISCIPLINE.  Because 
**ONE  is"  our  "MASTER,  even  Christ,  and  aW 
we  ^^  are  Brethren^  Matt,  xxiii.  8. 

17.  THE  REAL  ESTATE  and  other  property 
connected  with  this  Church  shall  be  under  the  care 
of  Trustees  legally  appointed,  as  the  property  of 
other  churches  aj-e  secured  by  law.  But  the  real 
estate  or  property  thus  secured,  SHALL  PERMA- 
NENTLY BELONG  TO  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE 
ETERNAL  SON. 

18.  And  if  at  any  time  an  individual  Church 
should  secede  from  our  faith,  the  property.  Real  or 
Personal,  belonging  to  said  Church,  shall  become  the 
property  of  the  General  Quarterly  Meetincr.  And 
the  Local' Overseers  shall  SEE  that  THIS^ROVI- 
SION  (made  in  case  of  a  secession  from  this  Church) 
is  LEGALLY  incorporated  in  the  Deed  of  Trust  to 
the  Trustees. 

19.  If  such  a  secession  should  take  place,  the 
General  Quarterly  meeting  shall  take  the  property 
under  its  care,  and  re-establish  the  Church,  if 
THIRTEEN  male  members  continue  to  adhere  to 
our  Faith  and  Doctrines.  Or  they  may  form  an  en- 
tire NEW  CHURCH  in  the  same  district. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

HALLS  FOR  WORSHIP,  &c. 

OUR  HALLS  FOR  WORSHIP  shall  be  built  of 
substantial  materials,  and  PLAIN  DORIC  ARCHI- 
TECTURE, without  Porticos,  or  any  external  or  in- 
ternal embellishment,  and  this  clause  shall  not  be 
altered  or  amended. 
18 


234  HALLS  FOR  WORSHIP. 

2.  Because  most  of  the  individual  churches 
at  the  present  day  (except  that  of  the  Friends) 
are  encumbered  with  heavy  debts.  Therefore 
there  is  an  incessant  begging  of  the  members 
and  of  the  public  to  meet  expenses^  which  has  hin- 
dered much  the  progress  of  the  Gospel,  and  has 
become  a  by-word  with  the  world.  By  building 
plain,  yet  convenient  edifices,  much  trouble  will 
be  avoided,  and  the  expense  of  building  met  at  once. 

3.  A  congregation  of  two  hundred  individuals  in 
one  of  our  cities  can  generally  find  a  hall  large 
enough  to  hold  their  meetings  in.  They  will  not 
require  a  building  of  their  own  construction  ;  the 
Benches  can  be  arranged  around  the  centre  of  the 
room,  as  laid  down  in  the  plan  at  the  end  of  this 
Church  book,  yet  if  the  members  of  a  Church  volu7i- 
tarily  subscribe  the  whole  am,ount  necessary  to  erect 
a  building  they  may  build  a  Hall  when  the  amount 
is  thus  secured,  at  any  time. 

4.  The  spiritual  efficacy  of  a  Church  does  not  con- 
sist in  numbers.  And  we  earnestly  recommend  our 
members  to  keep  this  in  view:  for  the  true  power  of 
a  church  to  convert  the  souls  of  men  is  not  in  its 
numbers,  but  in  the  living  faith  of  its  members. 
Our  plain  edifices,  and  small  expenses,  and  our 
plan  of  collecting  funds  offer  no  inducement  for  a 
large  membership,  which  is  absolutely  necessary 
where  gaudy  temples  are  built,  and  a  paid  ministry 
is  to  be  supported. 

5.  It  may  be  observed  how  few  persons  there  are, 
compared  to  the  whole  number  even  in  the  very  best 
appointed  Churches,  who  are  capable  workmen  at 
the  altar  where  mourners  are  seeking  for  mercy. 
Often,  after  drawing  on  other  congregatio7is,  not 
more  than  eight  or  ten  persons  can  be  found  capable 
of  effectually  talking  with  the  mourners,  or  com- 


HALLS  FOR  WORSHIP.  235 

municating  the  Holy  Ghost  "63/  the  Word,^^  or  by 
the  imposition  of  hands. 

6.  Therefore  an  Inceptive  Church,  of  from  three 
to  twelve  persons,  if  they  are  all  true  and  living 
w^orkmen,  inspired  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  may,  as  in- 
struments of  the  Lord  Jesus,  perform  the  work  that 
is  done  by  a  very  large  membership  of  lukewarm 
professors,  with  only  a  few  faithful  workmen. 

7.  Therefore,  as  our  mode  of  worship  is  suited 
to  a  S7nall  congregation  of  Twenty  to  Forty  male 
and  female  members,  it  would  be  better  that  a  small 
and  living  Church  be  formed  in  every  square  of  a 
city  than  to  have  a  large  membership  of  inefficient 
professors. 

8.  The  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son  always  is  com- 
posed of  spiritual  and  living  members,  therefore  our 
places  of  worship  are  not  churches,  or  holy  places, 
neither  do  we  consecrate  them  as  the  Laodicean 
churches  do,  nor  do  we  give  them  holy  titles. 

9.  Most  sects  have  a  particular  name,  such  as  the 
Episcopalian  Church,  the  Methodist  Church,  &c., 
and  yet  these  sects  call  the  brick  and  mortar  edi- 
fices, churches  also,  such  as    Christ   Church,  Saint 

Paul's,  or  Trinity  Church,  &c.,  as  though  the  build' 
ings  were  distinct  sects.  And  they  solemnly  conse- 
crate these  buildings,  when,  as  is  too  often  the  case, 
the  members  themselves  are  not  sufficiently  con- 
secrated, nor  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

10.  We  therefore  call  OUR  MEETING  HOUSES, 
HALLS.  And  they  shall  be  designated  by  the 
numerals,  as  follows,  viz:  THE  FIRST  HALL  of 
"The  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son;"  THE  SECOND 
HALL  of  the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son  (&c.),  in. 
Philadelphia,  or  any  other  City,  or  Township,  or 
County,  or  District. 

11.  If  they  are  built  expressly  for  our  meetings 


236  HALLS  FOR  WORSHIP. 

of  worship,  they  shall  have  four  sections,  converg- 
ing to  the  centre,  where  an  oblong,  or  square  space 
shall  be  left  as  an  anxious  place  for  mourners. 
There  shall  be  lateral  and  diagonal  avenues  or 
aisles,  leading  to  the  centre  space  from  a  four  feet 
six  inch  aisle:  This  aisle  is  next  to  the  walls  around 
the  Hall,  (except  at  the  doors  of  entrance,  next  the 
vestibule,  where  the  aisle  shall  be  six  feet  wide.) 

12.  And  there  shall  be  placed  against  the  wall, 
elevated  movable  benches,  with  a  foot-board,  on  an 
anoxic  with  the  ascendino:  floor  of  the  central  aisles. 
The  walls  shall  be  plainly  cased  with  boards  behind 
these  henches,  to  protect  those  on  the  benches  from 
dampness.  These  benches  must  be  constructed  so 
as  to  take  up  little  room  in  width,  and  not  more  than 
eight  feet  long  each.  There  shall  be  a  VESTIBULE 
to  each  Church,  twelve  feet  wide,  for  protection  from 
the  weather,  &c.,  also  for  the  elevation  of  stairs  if 
the  Hall  is  in  a  second  story. 

13.  In  cities,  where  ground  is  valuable,  these 
Halls  may  be  built  with  two  or  more  stores  under- 
neath, the  rent  of  which  would  defray  all  incidental 
expenses,  if  the  Halls  were  free  of  debt. 

14.  The  aisles  and  seats  shall  gradually  rise  from 
the  centre,  with  a  grade  of  one  inch  to  one  inch  and 
a  half  to  the  foot.  This  will  enable  all  the  audience 
to  see  the  speakers  throughout  the  Hall. 

15.  As  before  observed,  there  shall  be  no  select 
seats  for  the  Elders,  or  preachers,  nor  hired  pews, 
but  all  shall  he  free  to  each  member,  and  his  family, 
male  ^nd  female,  who  shall  not  sit  separately,  as  in 
the  Methodist,  and  the  Friends'  churches,  but  toge- 
ther, as  in  other  denominations,  AND  THIS 
CLAUSE  RELATIVE  TO  FREE  SEATS  SHALL 
NOT  BE  ALTERED  OR  AMENDED.  By  the 
gradual  rising  of  each  section  from  the  centre,  our 


HALLS  FOR  WORSHIP. — SLAVERY. — WAR.       237 

Elders  and  Local  Overseers,  and  Ministers  and 
Members,  can  see  the  progress  of  the  meeting,  and 
effectually  conduct  the  same  in  accordance  with  our 
discipline. 

16.  ONE  SECTION,  however,  of  the  four  in  each 
church  shall  he  RESERVED  FOR  FEMALES 
ONLY,  to  accommodate  such  as  wish  to  sit  separate. 
Also,  this  section  shall  be  reserved,  if  their  friends 
desire  it,  for  the  new  female^converts  at  the  time 
their  souls  are  set  at  liberty  by  the  new  birth. 

17.  Any  defects  in  the  outward  organization  of 
this  Church  may  be  supplied  at  a  General  Con- 
ference: Provided,  always,  that  these  amendments 
do  not  annul  or  contravene  those  clauses  not  open  to 
amendment;  nor  contravene  or  oppose  our  Doctrines 
or  Faith  ;  nor  the  simplicity  of  our  organization. 

18.  Any  alteration  in  those  parts  of  our  Doctrines 
or  Discipline,  or  organization,  which  are  OPEN  to 
amendment,  may  be  amended  in  a  supplement;  but 
the  ORIGINAL  ARTICLE  SHALL  STAND  as 
written  in  {\iQ  first  Edition  of  our  Church  Book,  and 
shall  not  be  stricken  out  of  the  Book  by  any  future 
act  of  this  Church.  All  amendments  in  our  doc- 
trines shall  be  done  in  a  Convention  of  all  the 
churches  by  delegates  from  the  Quarterly  Meetings. 
And  it  will  require  a  majority  of  over  three-fourths 
to  make  any  amendment  in  the  doctrines  or  organi- 
zation of  this  Church  open  to  amendment. 


CHAPTER  XII. 
SLAVERY,   WAR,  OATHS,  AMUSEMENTS. 

The  subject  of  Slavery,  in  the  United  States  or 
elsewhere,  SHALL  NOT  BE  INTERFERED 
WITH  BY  THIS  CHURCH  AS  A  BODY. 


238  SLAVERY. WAR. 

2.  We  allow  no  interference  with  the  powers 
granted  by  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  to 
the  States  individually.  And  as  the  importation  of 
slaves  from  Africa  to  the  United  States  is  now  pro- 
hibited hy  law,  we  believe  that  slavery  will  gradu- 
ally subside,  and  be  abolished  in  this  country 
without  sectarian  interference. 

3.  We  believe  that,  although  many  evils  have 
attended  the  enslaving  of  the  African  race,  yet  at 
the  same  time,  the  {ultimate)  condition  of  the  negro 
has  been  improved. 

4.  Thousands  who  would  have  been  PAGAN 
IDOLATERS  at  this  day,  NOW  enjoy  the  blessings 
oi  civilization,  and  the  glorious  evidences  of  the  re- 
ligion of  JESUS  in  their  souls:  indeed,  no  race  is 
more  happy  in  a  Saviour^s  love  than  the  African 
race. 

5.  We  approve  of  colonization,  and  see  at  Liberia 
the  wonder-working  hand  of  God  extended  to  the 
civilization  and  Christianization  of  this  race. 

War. — The  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son  is  under 
the  Banner  of  *' THE  PRINCE  OF  PEACE:" 
therefore  all  our  members  will  use  all  diligence  to 
promote  peace  both  by  precept  and  example.  And 
where  it  becomes  necessary  for  the  government 
under  which  our  members  live,  to  resort  to  ARMS, 
and  enter  into  carnal  warfare,  either  offensive  or 
defensive,  all  our  members  should  endeavor  at  the 
Ballot  Box  or  otherwise  so  to  use  their  influence,  and 
cast  their  vote,  that  a  just  and  speedy  peace  may 
ensue.  As  before  observed,  we  are  bound  to  obey 
the  Laws  of  the  Land  in  which  we  live,  and  sub- 
mit patiently  to  the  dispensations  of  God  ;  and  our 
members  should  earnestly  supplicate  JESUS,  who 
ruleth  all  things,  to  avert  this  dreadful  scourge  of 
nations  at  all  times  from  our  midst. 


<c 


SUNDAY  SCHOOLS.  239 

OATHS. — Our  blessed  Lord  commands  us  to 
SWEAR  NOT  AT  ALL,"  and  cancels  the  old 
Law  of  oaths,  see  Matt.  v.  33 — 37.  Accordingly, 
Saint  James  repeats  the  injunction,  *'  Above  all 
things.  Brethren^  swear  not,  neither  by  heaven,  nei- 
ther by  earth,  n^iihQi  hy  any  other  OKT]^.'^''  James  v. 
12.  We,  therefore,  enjoin  upon  all  our  members, 
to  AFFIRM  ONLY  where  the  laws  will  admit  it. 

We  disapprove  of  Theatres,  and  other  resorts  of 
the  immoral  and  depraved,  and  hope  our  members 
will  strictly  discountenance  all  places  of  this  kind, 
no  matter  how  disguised. 


CHAPTER  XHL 
SUNDAY  SCHOOLS. 

1.  We  approve  of  Sunday  Schools,  but  not  on  the 

present  system.  Our  Sunday  Schools  shall  be  con- 
ducted for  the  instruction  of  our  ovjn  children,  or 
Wards,  and  by  male  and  female  teachers  appointed 
by  the  Church,  and  they  shall  be  under  the  super- 
vision of  the  Local  Overseers. 

2.  The  schools  shall  be  opened  by  singing  and 
prayer,  and  after  a  brief  exhortation  and  another 
hymn,  the  teachers  shall  proceed  to  instruct  the 
school.  The  female  teachers  shall  teach  the  females. 

3.  The  school  shall  be  divided  into  classes.  No. 
1  shall  be  composed  of  such  as  have  been  already 
educated  to  read.  They  shall  be  instructed  as  fol- 
lows:— they  shall  read  one  chapter,  a  verse  in  rota- 
tion, at  each  session;  it  shall  be  from  the  New 
Testament,  beginning  at  the  first  chapter  of  Saint 
Matthew's  Gospel;  and  these  readings  shall  be  con- 
tinued until  the  whole  of  the  New  Testament  is 
read. 


240  SUNDAY  SCHOOLS. 

4.  The  teachers  shall  comment  on  the  verses  of 
the  chapter  as  they  are  read,  referring  to  our  Church 
Book,  and  the  Prophecies  of  the  Old  Testament,  for 
their  explanation.  And  thus  the  children  will  be 
taught  and  imbued  with  the  doctrines  of  this  Church 
in  early  life, 

5.  Such  of  the  children  as  have  the  spirit  of 
prayer,  shall  be  encouraged  to  pray  vocally;  thus 
they  will  be  brought  up  as  scions  engrafted  in  '^  the 
TREE  OF  LIFE,"  and  fitted  for  the  duties  of 
maturer  years. 

6.  No.  2  shall  be  composed  of  such  as  are  learn- 
ing their  Alphabet  and  spelling.  These  shall  also 
be  instructed  in  the  doctrines  of  this  Church  by  the 
teacher  reading  a  chapter,  and  commenting  thereon 
as  with  class  No.  1.  They  shall  be  taught  to  spell 
and  read,  and  as  they  evince  capacity,  shall  be 
transferred  to  the  first  class. 

7.  The  schools  shall  be  closed  by  singing  a  hymn, 
and  the  stanzas  ^' Jesus,  from  whom  all  Blessings 
flow,"  &c. 

8.  We  allow  of  no  public  exhibitions  of  the  scho- 
lars' acquirements;  neither  do  we  allow  parades 
through  the  streets.  But  the  teachers  and  scholars 
may  take  an  excursion  into  the  country  at  a  suitable 
season. 

9.  The  object  of  these  schools  is,  first,  religious 
instruction  for  the  youth  in  our  doctrines^  and  in 
singing  our  hymns;  and,  secondly,  to  keep  them 
usefully  and  piously  employed  between  the  hours  of 
Divine  Worship.  The  Sunday  schools  shall  pre- 
cede those  of  worship  one  hour  and  a  quarter. 

10.  A  Library  of  standard  works,  approved  of  by 
the  Local  Overseers,  and  not  opposed  to  the  doc- 
trines of  this  Church,  may  be  formed  by  contribu- 
tions from  the  Teachers  and  Scholars  only. 


TEMPERANCE.  241 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
TEMPERANCE. 

1.  We  approve  of  the  Temperance  movement  In 
this  and  other  countries;  but  at  the  same  time,  we, 
as  a  body  of  Christians  met  together  for  the  conver- 
sion of  souls ^  and  the  preservation  of  each  other  in 
the  True  Faith,  in  JESUS,  the  ''  True  God"  (1  John 
V.  20)— permit  neither  this  {jrf^  nor  ANY  OTHER 
moral  reform  question  to  be  brought  INTO  THIS 
CHURCH.     We  leave  them  with  the  moral  world. 

2.  Every  REGENERATED  man  IS  ''temperate 
in  all  things ^'^^  and  can  use  every  creaturely  element 
with  temperance  and  moderation.  The  man  that  is 
'''  Born  agai7i^^  performs  the  law  of  God  from  the 
immediate  impulses  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  We,  there- 
fore, LOOK  TO  JESUS  to  keep  US,  and  we 
SHALL  BE  "KEPT." 

3.  We  deplore  that  zeal  which  carries  this  sub- 
ject of  temperance  i?ito  the  churches  and  "  market 
places,"  even  on  the  "  Sabbath  days." 

4.  If  JESUS,  and  his  sicfferings  and  death ,  were 
jireached  with  HALF  the  zeal  that  temperance  is 
preached  in  the  Churches  and  other  public  places 
on  the  Sabbath  and  other  days,  the  Blessing  of  the 
'' JVew  Bijih''^  would  soon  seal  the  souls  of  sinners 
with  such  a  PLEDGE  of  love,  that  they  would  never 

fail  in  being  "  temperate  in  all  things.'''* 

5.  And  here  we  may  add,  that  this  Church  cannot 
recognize  any  law  relative  to  the  cut  of  a  garment, 
or  its  color,  or  in  relation  to  the  furniture  of  our 
dwellings.  We  approve  of  the  Arts  and  Sciences, 
but  every  man  should  give  Jesus  the  glory  for  all  his 
gifts,  and  use  them  to  promote  his  kingdom,  and  the 
general  good  of  mankind. 


242 


PART   FOURTH. 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  THE  FAITH  AND  DOC- 
TRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  ETER- 
NAL SON.  ,     - 

CHAPTER  I. 

ETERNAL  GENERATION. 

Our  glorious  Redeemer,  when  speaking  to  Nico- 
demus,  declared  himself  ''  THE  ONLY  BEGOT- 
TEN SON,"  John  iii.  16,  18.  And  the  Prophet 
Micah,  prophesying  of  HIS  Advent  into  the  world, 
declared  that  his  '-^ goings  forth  have  been  from  of 
old,  FROM  EVERLASTING,"  (see  Micah  v.  2.) 
In  the  marginal  reading,  it  is  translated,  "  from  days 
of  ETEHNITY."  We  therefore  understand  our 
Lord's  words,  namely,  *'  The  only  begotten  Son," 
and  the  Prophet's  words,  namely,  ''Whose  goings 
forth  have  been  from  of  old,  from  EVERLASTING," 
to  mean,  ETERNAL  GENERATION;— andthatthe 
SON,  as  a  Son,  HAD  NO  BEGINNING  WHAT- 
EVER; but  thatHE,  theMan  Jesus  Christ,  was  "with- 
out  beginning  of  days,"  and  "the  same  YESTER- 
DAY, to-day,  and  for  ei;er,"  (see  Hebrews  vi.  20, 
vii.  3,  and  xiii.  8.)  And,  consequently,  the  Man 
Jesus  Christ  is  absolutely — positively — and  uncon- 
ditionally Eternal,  AS  A  SON.  The  incogitative 
flesh  which  he  "  took"  from  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary,  upon  his  own  everlasting  soul,  or  Divine 
"  Image" — this  flesh,  we  believe,  became  the  Flesh 
and  blood  of  God  by  ASSIMILATION  with  His 
everlasting  "  souP^  in  the  same  manner  as  our  souls 
are  assimilated  with  flesh  and   blood.     And  thus 


ETERNAL  GENERATION.  243 

"  God"  "  was  made  flesh"  actually^  and  became 
a  true  man  like  unto  us,  sin  excepted.  Consequently 
it  was  God  that  suffered  and  died  on  the  cross ;  there- 
fore Saint  Paul  declares,  ^^  Feed  the  Church  of  God, 
which  he  hath  purchased  with  his  own  blood.^^ 

2.  Jesus  maintains  his  eternity,  and  denies  that 
he  had  any  beginning  or  genealogy;  he  denies  that 
he  is  the  Son  of  David,  and  asks,  ^^  If  David  then 
CALL  HLM  LORD,  how  is  he  HIS  SON  ?  And 
no  man  was  able  to  answer  him  a  word,"  because 
it  was  impossible  that  he  could  be  David's  son  and 
David's  Lord  at  the  same  time.  See  Matt.  xxii. 
42 — 46.  We  have  demonstrated  that  the  Soul  of 
Jesus pj'e-existed,  {See  Articles  of  Faith,  Article  XL, 
page  87,)  and  that  Jesus  was  ^'  of  the  line  of  David 
according  to  the  (outward)  flesh'''*  only,  which  he 
assimilated  with  his  own  Divine  Soul;  for  he  de- 
clares to  the  Jews,  ''  Ye  are  from  beneath,  I  am 
FROM  ABOVE;  ye  are  of  this  woi'ld,  I  AM  NOT 
of  this  world.^^  And  he  declares  himself  to  be  the 
*' T  AM,"  as  follows:  ^'•Before  Abraham  was,  I 
AM;"  see  John  viii.  23d  and  57,  58th  verses.  And 
as  "  his  goings  forth  have  been  from  EVERLAST- 
ING," he  could  not  possibly  have  had  any  begin- 
ning: because,  if  he  had  any  beginning,  he  could  not 
be,  as  the  Prophet  declares,  "  from  everlasting"  or 
eternal.  And  as  JESUS  positively  declared  "  I  am 
FROMABOVE,""IamNOT  OF  THIS  WORLD," 
"  we  make  HIM  a  liar''"'  if  we  deny  his  pre-exist- 
ence  or  Eternity.  Moreover,  if  we  deny  the  Eternity 
of  the  Son,  we  deny  the  total  God,  for  there  can  be 
no  God  without  the  Son:  for  he  is  one  of  the  Holy 
Trinity.     See  Matt,  xxviii.  19. 

3.  This  Eternal  Generation  of  the  Son  was  an 
^'  everlasting''''  and  eternal  act,  by  which  the  Triune 
or  total  God  existed.     Accordingly  Jesus  himself 


244  THE  MAN  JESCJS  CHRIST. 

declared,  *'  as  the  Father  knoweth  me,  EVEN  SO 
know  I  the  Father,''^  John  x.  15.  These  words  of 
Jesus  at  once  declare  his  co-eternity  with  the  Father, 
And  thus  in  the  beginning,  this  total  God  was 
manifested  IN  AN  IMAGE-LIKE  "FORM"  AND 
'*  SHAPE,"  John  v.  37.  And  it  was  this  Eternal 
and  "  Express  Image,"  Heb.  i.  3,  even  the  Eternal 
Son  which  all  the  Angelical  Hosts  worshipped  : 
Heb.  i.  6— Who  IS  the  Maker  of  all  things,  John 
i.  9.  Saint  Paul  declares  the  "DEAR  SON" 
creaife^^ -2// //«n^5  "  VISIBLE  and  INVISIBLE ;""  all 
things"  (saith  he)  "were  created  BY  HIM  and  FOR 
HIM,"  or  by  himself  J  arid  for  himself .  Col.  i. 13-17. 
And  there  is  a  glorious  and  infinite  perfection  m 
Jesus,  "the  Lamb"  "Almighty,"  because  he  is 
the  very  "  GLORY  OF  GOD,"  Rev.  xxi.  23,  and 
the  very"  BRIGHTNESS"  of  the  Eternal'' Glory,'' 
Heb.  i.  3.  And  we  believe,  as  a  Church,  that  this 
doctrine  of  the  "  Eternal  Generation"  of  the  Eternal 
Son,  and  also  of  his  "  Express  Image"  and  "  Soul," 
as  Jesus  the  Lord  Jehovah  declared,  "  MY  SOUL," 
Isa.  XLii.  1 — we  believe  this  doctrine  is  the  only  true 
faith  which  can  reconcile  all  the  Scriptures,  and  make 
a  unity  of  divine  worship,  and  give  REST  UNTO 
THE  SOULS  OF  MEN.     Amen,  Lord  Jesus. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  MAN  JESUS  CHRIST. 

We  believe  that  the  MAN  Jesus  Christ  of  Naza- 
reth, who  laid  down  his  life  for  us  on  Mount  Cal- 
vary and  bought  us  with  his  blood,  was  altogether 
DIVINE.  He  is  the  very  ETERNAL  SON,  Micah 
V.  2,  and  "  THE  TRUE  GOD,"  1  John  v.  20, 
and  the  Maker,  and  preserver,  and  possessor  of  all 


THE  MAN  JESUS  CHRIST.  245 

things  ''  visible  and  invisible''^  unexceptionably,  Col. 
i.  13,  16,  17.  And  we  believe  that  this  man  called 
Jesus — in  fullness  of  time  came  into  an  outward  man- 
ifestation and  veiled  his  eternal  glory,  Heb.  x.  20, 
and  veiled  his  own  "soul,"  Isa.  xLii.  1,  by  being 
made  flesh,  and  thus  "  God"  "  dwelt  among  us," 
according  to  the  following  glorious  declaration  of 
the  Prophet  Isaiah,  "  unto  us  a  CHILD  is  born,  unto 
us  a  SON  is  given,  and  HIS  NAME  shall  be  called 
Wonderful !  Counsellor !  the  Mighty  God !  The 
Everlasting  FATHER!  The  Prince  of  Peace! 
Isa.  ix.  6.  These  are  declared  to  be  the  holy  names 
of  JESUS  "  the  CHILD  BORN  and  SON  GIVEN." 
2.  He  is  called  also  in  the  Sacred  Scriptures  of 
the  Old  and  New  Testaments  by  the  following  Holy 
Names:  In  Genesis  he  speaks  of  himself  as  the 
'•^  Maker  in  a  plurality,  and  is  called  God,  "And 
God  said,  let  US  make  man  in  our  image,  after 
our  likeness.^''  See  and  compare  Gen.  i.  26,  with 
Heb.  i.  1,2,  3,  6,  and  the  8lh  verse  particularly. 
He  is  called  "  I  AM;"  see  and  compare  Ex.  iii.  14, 
with  John  viii.  58.  He  is  called  God  of  gods, 
and  Lord  of  lords;  see  &c.  Deut.  x.  17,  with  1 
Tim.  vi.  15,  Rev.  xvii.  14,  and  xix.  16.  He 
is  called  "God,"  "  the  -Rock,"  see  &c.  Deut. 
xxxii.  4,  Psal.  Lxii.  7,  with  1  Cor.  x.  4.  He  is 
called  "  the  LORD  GOD  of  Israel,  OUR  FATHER 
— exalted  as  head  above  all  ;"  see,  &c.,  1  Chron. 
xxix.  10,  11,  w^ith  John  xiv.  7,  and  Rev.  xxii.  6, 
13,  16,  and  Col.  i.  16,  17,  18.  The  Psalmist  calls 
him  LORD;  see,  &c.  Psa.  ex.  1,  with  Matt.  xxii. 
42  to  46.  The  Child  and  Son  born,  even  Jesus,  is 
called  "Wonderful!  Counsellor!  The  Mighty 
God!  The  EVERLASTING  FATHER!  The 
Prince  of  Peace  !"  Isa.  ix.  6.  This  requires  no  com- 
parison with  the  New  Testament.     He  is  expressly 


246  THE  MAN  JESUS  CHRIST. 

called  JEHOVAH,  Isa.  xii.  2.  He  is  called  the 
SAVIOUR  and  only  God,  see  &c.  Isa.  xLiii.  10, 
11,  and  XLiv.  6,  with  John  iv.  25,  26,  1  John 
V.  20.  He  is  called  "  our  father  and  REDEEMER 
from  everlasting,"  Isa.  Lxiii.  16.  He  is  called  ''  the 
FIRST  and  the  LAST,"  see  and  compare  Isa. 
XLi.  4,  and  xLiv.  6,  and  XLviii.  12,  with  Rev.  i.  11, 
17,  and  ii.  8,  and  xxii.  13  and  16.  He  is  called 
the  *'  True  God"  and  "  living  God,"  and  everlast- 
ing king;"  see  and  compare  Jer.  x.  10,  with  1 
John  V.  20,  1  John  i.  2,  and  Matt.  xxv.  '31—34. 
He  is  called  "  the  Lord  or  Jehovah  our  righteous- 
ness," see,  &c.,  Jer.  xxiii.  6,  with  John  xv.  5,  1  Cor. 
i.  30.  The  MAN  Jesus  is  emphatically  declared  to 
be  "  THE  PEACE;"  see  and  compare  Micah  v.  5, 
with  Luke  x.  6.  In  the  New  Testament  he  is  called 
"  Jesus,"  "  Immanuel"  or  "  GOD  with  us ;"  see  Isa. 
vii.  14,andMatt.  i.  23.  He  is  called  "Jesus  Christ," 
"The  Son  of  Man,"  "GOD  the  word,"  John  i. 
1.  "I  AM,"Johnviii.58.  "The  Redeemer,"  "The 
Saviour,"  The  ''  ETERNAL  LIFE,"  1  John  i.  2. 
"  The  Spiritual  Rock,"  1  Cor.  x.  4.  "  GOD  blessed 
forever,"  Rom.  ix.  5.—"  The  EVERLASTING 
GOD,"  Rom.  xvi.'26.  A  quickening  spirit  and  the 
Lord  from  heaven,  1  Cor.  xv.  46,  47. — "The 
blessed  GOD,"  1  Tim.  i.  11.  "  The  ONLY  PO- 
TENTATE," "  And  KING  of  KINGS,  and  Lord 
of  lords,"  1  Tim.  vi.  14,  15.  He,  "THE  SON,  is 
by  Saint  Paul,  called  GOD,"  Heb.  i.  8.  This  text, 
like  many  others,  is  beyond  controversy.  The  SON 
is  called  "  THE  TRUE  GOD,"  1  John  v.  20 :  ac- 
cording to  this  text,  there  is  no  other  God. — "  The 
ONLY  WISE  GOD  our  Saviour,"  Jude  xxv.— 
"The  Almighty,"  Rev.  i.  8.— "  Alphaand  Omega," 
Rev.  i.  8.—"  The  FIRST  and  the  LAST,"  Rev. 
i.  11,  17,  ii.  8,  xxii.  13.    "He  is  called  the  WORD 


THE  MAN  JESUS  CHRIST.  247 

of  God,"  Rev.  xix.  13.  This  is  a  strong  quotation 
and  settles  the  question,  who  is  the  "  Word.^^  He  is 
repeatedly  called  "  The  Lamb,^^  and  "  Saint  John 
when  speaking"  of  the  Holy  Citj  New  Jerusalem, 
says  "  the  GLORY  OF  GOD"  did  lighten  it,  and 
THE  LAMB  IS  THE  LIGHT  THEREOF,"  Rev. 
xxi.  23. — And  finally,  in  the  last  chapter  of  the 
Revelation,  he  is  called ''THE  LORD  GOD  OF 
THE  HOLY  PROPHETS,"  Rev.  xxii.  6,  which 
compare  with  the  13th  and  16th  verses.  We  ear- 
nestly desire,  that  the  reader,  for  the  sake  o^  eternal 
truths  will  compare  the  texts  we  have  given,  and 
those  from  the  New  Testament,  with  those  of  the 
Old  Testament,  where  it  will  be  found  (to  the 
joy  of  the  souls  of  all  sincere  men)  that  JESUS 
is  the  ONE,  AND  ONLY  GOD,  and  "  filleth  all 
things." 

3.  We  believe  the  eternal  and  only  begotten  son 
of  the  Father,  even  JESUS,  whose  holy  names  we 
have  just  quoted  in  fullness  of  time,  "  Came  down 
from  Heaven,"  John  vi.  38,  or  "  forth  from  the 
Father,"  John  xvi.  28,  and  "WAS  MADE  FLESH, 
AND  BECAME  MAN,"  John  i.  14,  of  the  line  of 
David  according  to  the  fiesh  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary.  We  believe  that  the  words  "  according  to 
the  flesh;'  mean  THE  FLESH,  and  NOT  THE 
SOUL.  Because  according  to  the  Scriptures,  the 
Soul  of  Jesus  existed  with  him,  when  he  spake  to 
Isaiah,  as  he  declares.  "  Behold  my  servant  in  whom 
MY  SOUL  delighteth,"  Isa.  xLii.  1.  The  "Sa- 
viour" (See  Isa.  XLiii.  10,  11)  who  spake  to  Isaiah, 
therefore  had  a  soul,  as  he  declares  "mysowZ,"  (See 
Articles  of  Faith,  No.  xi.,  on  the  prc-existence  of 
the  Soul  of  Christ.)  And  it  was  this  "  SOUL"  of 
Jehovah  or  his  Eternal  Image  and  DIVINE  NA- 
TURE, as  Saint  Peter  calls  it,  (See  2  Pet.  i.  4,) 


248  THE  MAN  JESUS  CHRIST. 

that ''  was  made  flesh,''  or  that  was  ASSIMILATED 
with  flesh,  and  became  man  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary. — And  therefore  we  do  not  mean  that  the 
Divine  and  Holy  Spirit  of  the  Eternal  Son  "was 
made  oulward^e^A."  But  that  the  "  express  image" 
of  God,  (See  Genesis  i.  26,  27,  and  Heb.  i.  3,)  in 
which  the  Holy  Trinity  dwelt  ''  from  everlasting," 
and  which  all  the  Angelical  Host  of  Heaven  SAW 
and  worshiped,  we  mean  that  this  Divine  "  Image" 
was  made  flesh,  or  was  assimilated  with  flesh, jTroT/i 
the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.  And  as  God  took  it  upon 
him,  it  became  God's  flesh  and  blood  ;  therefore 
Saint  Paul  declares,  "  Feed  the  church  of  GOD 
which  he  hath  purchased  with  HIS  OWN  blood." 
Therefore,  the  text,  John  i.  14,  does  not  mean 
that  God's  spirit  was  made  into  the  outward  fl-esh 
or  '*  veil"  of  our  glorious  Redeemer;  but  it  means 
that  the  Eternal  Divine  Body  of  God,  was  assimi- 
lated with  our  nature,  and  thus  God  actually  he- 
came  passible  and  suffered.  We  would  ask  any 
candid  person  whether  it  was  not  just  as  easy  and 
consistent  for  God  thus  to  have  assimilated  his 
Divine  nature  viz.,  his  **  Soul"  and  "  Image,"  with 
our  flesh,  [just  as  our  souls  are  assimilated  with 
our  flesh,  and  thus  become  CAPABLE  OF  SUF- 
FERING, and  to  die  on  the  cross,]  as  it  was  for 
him  to  transmute  or  '•'•subdue'''  the  BODY  which 
SUFFERED  and  DIED  on  the  cross,  "UNTO" 
the  Divine  nature  and  Image  AFTER  the  resurrec- 
tion :  both  of  which  acts  he  performed,  according  to 
the  Scriptures.  "  According  to  the  working  where- 
by he  is  able  even  to  SUBDUE  ALL  THINGS 
unto  himself,"  saith  the  Apostle,  Phil.  iii.  21.  This 
truth  all  unbelievers  will  find  to  their  eternal  sorrow, 
when  "the  Son  of  Man  shall  sit  on  the  throne  of 
HIS  glory,"  in  this  same  glorious  Body,  once  assi- 


THE  MAN  JESUS  CHRIST.  249 

milated  with  our  flesh,  which  is  '■^subdued''''  and 
transmuted  into  the  Divine  BODY ;  before  which 
glorified  Body  the  Evangelist  "  fell  as  dead  at  his 
feet."  [And  they  will  *'  at  the  last  day''"'  disco- 
ver, when  it  is  too  late,  that  "  the  Eternal  Jeho- 
vah, the  First  and  the  Last,"  Isa.  xLiv.  6,  "  WAS 
(ACTUALLY)  DEAD,"  as  he  /lim^e// declared  un- 
equivocally to  Saint  John,  Rev.  i.  17,  18,  and  ii, 
8,  18;  and  unbelievers  will  also  discover,  when  it 
is  too  late,  and  when  the  "  door  (of  mercy)  is  shut," 
that  the  words,  "  THUS  SAITH  THE  FIRST  AND 
THE  LAST,  WHICH  WAS  DEAD,"  (Rev.  ii. 
8,)  will  seal  their  condennnation  as  WILFUL  UN- 
BELIEVERS OF  THE  WORDS  OF  JESUS,  ''the 
First  and  the  Last,"  "  which  was  dead."] 

And  it  was  BY  THIS  ASSIMILATION  that  the 
"Word,"  which  "was  God,"  was  "MADE 
FLESH,"  and  dwelt  among  us,  according  to  his 
"  eternal  purpose,''^  and  became  a  true  and  very 
man  like  unto  us,  sin  excepted:  And  therefore  he  is 
called  Immanuel,  which,  being  interpreted,  is,  GOD 
WITH  US,  Matt.  i.  23. 

And  for  this  reason,  he  could  thus  pray,  "  And 
now,  O  Father!  glorify  thou  me  with  thine  own  self, 
with  the  GLORY  which  I  HAD  with  thee  BEFORE 
THE  WORLD  WAS,"  John  xvii.  5.  By  this  text 
we  at  once  see  that  the  Eternal  Son  became  a  true 
man,  and  had  Divine  glory  in  Eternity,  "  before  the 
world  was.''^ 

5.  We  therefore  reject  the  doctrine  of  an  hypO" 
statical  or  distinctive  union  of  the  human  and  divine 
natures,  in  the  Lord  Jesus.  This  doctrine  teaches, 
that  there  are  two  distinct  natures  in  the  Lord  Jesus, 
not  assimilated,  nor  mixed  together :  one  that  is 
divine,  which  is  God,  and  eternal,  and  did  not,  and 
could  not  suffer;  and  one  which  is  human,  and  not 
19 


250  THE  MAN  JESUS  CHRIST. 

eternal,  but  which  is  of  time  only,  and  was  born  of 
the  Virgin  Mary,  which  suffered.  This  doctrine  is 
taught  by  the  Gospel  or  evangelical  churches,  as 
they  are  called,  in  all  their  schools. 

Every  man  enlightened  "  by  the  HOLY  GHOST," 
believes  in  the  eternal  sonship  of  Jesus.  And  he 
must  see  at  once  that  he  cannot  believe  this  doctrine 
of  two  distinct  natures,  because  it  denies  the  stif- 
firings  of  the  Eternal  Son.  Also  his  passibility. 
Also  the  infinite  sacrifice  and  atonement.  For  the 
Eternal  Son  could  not  possibly  suffer,  if  the  distinct 
human  nature  alone  suffered,  as  they  say. 

6.  And  as  all  Gospel  professors  of  the  Christian 
religion  agree  that  we  are  saved  by  the  sufferings 
and  death  of  the  SON  of  God,  it  follows  of  neces- 
sity that  if  the  Eternal  SON  did  not  and  could  not 
suffer,  we  are  saved  by  the  sufferings  and  death  of 
ANOTHER  SON,  who  was  not  eternal,  but  of  time 
only.  And  from  this  predicament  and  conclusion, 
there  is  no  escape  !  because  the  advocates  of  the 
doctrine  of  a  distinct  union  of  natures,  strenuously 
maintain,  that,  "Though  there  be  a  union  of  natures 
in  Christ,  yet  there  is  not  a  mixture  or  confusion  of 
them  in  their  properties  ;  his  humanity  is  not  changed 
into  his  deity,  nor  his  deity  into  his  humanity,  but 
the  two  natures  are  DISTINCT."  This  quotation 
is  from  "  Buck's  Theological  Dictionary,"  Article 
Jesus  Christ,  page  241. 

This,  together  with  all  the  arguments  to  prove 
two  distinct  natures,  absolutely  MAKES  TWO 
SONS  IN  THE  HOLY  TRINITY,  i^one  son  who 
suffered,  and  one  son  who  did  not  and  could  not 
suffer.  This  makes  foolishness  of  the  Scripture, 
John  xvii.  5.  The  words  of  Jesus  are  :  "  And  now, 
O  Father,  glorify  thou  me  with  thine  own  self,  with 


THE  MAN  JESUS  CHRIST.  251 

the  glory  which  I  HAD  with   thee  BEFORE  the 
world  was.'''* 

7.  If  the  Eternal  Son  never  changed^  or  laid  any 
thing  aside,  as  they  assert,  it  is  evident,  at  first  sight, 
that  he  could  not  thus  pray  to  be  glorified  AGAIN, 
as  he  declares,  *'  with  the  glory  which  I  HAD  with 
thee  before  the  world  was."  And,  \f  the  humanity 
is,  as  they  insist  upon,  OF  TIME  ONLY,  and  had 
no  existence  BEFORE  the  aniiunciation  and  birth  of 
our  Lord  at  Bethlehem,  this  son,  begotten  in  time, 
could  not  use  the  following  prayer:  *' And  now,  O 
Father,  glorify  thou  me  with  thine  own  self,  with^Ae 
glory  which  I  HAD  with  iheehefore  the  world  was:" 
because,  according  to  their  own  hypothesis  and  show- 
ing, he,  the  humanity,  was  never  in  heaven,  as  they 
say,  no,  not  even  assimilated,  nor  mixed,  with  the 
divine  nature,  much  less  in  heaven  before,  or  with  the 
Father  BEFORE,  the  world  was:''  And  therefore, 
according  to  this  hypostatical  INVENTION,  the  hu- 
manity COULD  NOT  thus  pray  {o  be  glorified  again. 

8.  In  truth,  neither  the  divine,  nor  the  human 
nature  could  use  the  words  John  xvii.  5,  and  make 
common  sense  with  this  doctrine;  which  was  invent- 
ed honestly,  no  doubt,  to  '•''prevent  Socinianism,'^ 
but  which  has  driven  Dr.  Adam  Clarke,  (who 
maintains  this  doctrine,)  and  many  others,  iiito 
Socinianism  altogether,  for  he  asserts,  in  his  com- 
mentary on  the  first  chapter  of  St.  Luke,  that  the  SON 
of  God  is  INFERIOR  to  the  Father.  He  denies 
also  the  Eternal  Sonship  in  the  most  positive  lan- 
guage. This  is  radical  Socinianism,  which  always 
teaches  that  the  Son  is  "z7//erior"  to  the  Father.  If 
the  Son  was  inforior  to  the  Father,  he  must  ''^for- 
ever''' continue  to  be  inferior  to  the  Father,  because 
the  aposle  saith,  Heb.  xiii.  8,  that  "Jesus  Christ  is 
the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  forever:""     There- 


252  THE  MAN  JESUS  CHRIST. 

fore  he  could  not  possibly  change  his  identity. 
Moreover,  if  the  "  Humanity,"  as  they  call  the  body, 
soul  and  spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  is  distinct  from 
the  divinity,  he  could  not  possibly,  as  a  DISTINCT 
immortal  being,  change  his  identity^  but  must  con- 
tinue to  be  "  inferior"  to  God  throughout  eternity. 
But  we,  the  Church  of  the  ETERNAL  SON,  give 
glory  to  Jesus  that  he  has  revealed  unto  us  "  that  all 
men  should  honor  the  Son  even  as  they  honor  the 
Father,"  and  that  all  men  and  angels  ''SHOULD 
BOW"  unto  "  JESUS,"  and  "  worship  Am,"  "  the 
true  God,"  "forever  and  ever!"  Rev.  v.  12,  13. 
For  Ae,  "the  Son,"  has  declared  himself  to  be 
"THE  ALMIGHTY"  in  the  "Holy  Revelation." 
(Rev.  i.  8,  and  ii.  18.)  "  And  if  any  man  shall 
take  away  from  the  words  of  the  book  of  this  pro- 
phecy^ God  shall  take  away  his  part  out  of  the  Book 
of  Life. ^"^  Rev.  xxii.  19.     Amen!   Lord  Jesus  ! 

9.  We  have  cautioned  our  readers  against  the 
insidious  influence  of  Dr.  Adam  Clarke's  Comment- 
aries on  the  Old  and  New  Testament.  And  we 
trust  that,  as  Dr.  Clarke  was  an  ordained  Preacher  of 
the  Methodist  Church,  that  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  will  take  early  measures  to  interdict  o:  pro- 
hibit the  reading  of  this  work  amongst  its  members. 
The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  originally  pro- 
fessed to  believe  in  the  Doctrines  of  the  Eternal  Son- 
ship,  as  now  declared  in  Watson's  "  Theological 
Institutes,"  and  we  hope  to  see  this  noble  Church 
take  a  firm  stand  against  the  hurtful  innovations  of 
Socinian  writers. 

10.  This  doctrine  of  two  entire  DISTINCT  na- 
tures in  the  Person  of  Jesus,  has  led  many  popular 
writers  into  the  most  gross  expressions,  such  as 
would  be  considered  by  the  weakest  or  most  un- 


THE  MAN  JESUS  CHRIST.  253 

learned  of  the  Children  of  God  in  this  Church,  as 
highly  impious,  if  not  Blasphemous. 

We  find,  in  the  popular  works  of  President  Ed- 
wards, in  the  first  American  edition,  published  in 
the  year  1808,  vol.  v.,  No.  48,  pages  393  and  394, 
subject  '^Decrees  and  Election,"  the  following 
words,  in  the  last  three  lines  of  page  393:  He  says, 
"//  was  owing  to  the  election  of  GOD  that  Me.  MAN 
JESUS  was  not  one  of  the  CORRUPT  RACE  OF 
MANKIND,  so  that  his  FREEDOM/ro^Ti  SIN  and 
DAMNATION  is  owing  to  the  free  sovereign  love  of 
God  in  him^  as  well  as  in  the  rest  of  elect  men.'^^  And 
in  the  next  paragraph  on  page  394,  he  continues: 
"  So  the  man  Christ  Jesus  has  the  eternal,  electing 
love  of  God  to  him  to  contemplate*snd  admire,  and  re- 
joice his  heart,  as  all  his  elect  members  have  ;  he  has 
it  before  him,  as  others  have,  eternally  to  praise  God 
for  his  free  and  sovereign  election  of  him,  and  to  as- 
cribe his  freedom  from  ETERNAL  DAMNATION" 
"  TO  THAT  ELECTION."  This  doctrine,  to  this 
Church,  is  awfully  itnpious ;  because  it  not  only 
makes  "the  Man  Christ  Jesus"  a  subject  of  God 
and  of  his  decrees,  but  this  doctrine  actually  assumes 
and  declares  that  "  the  Man  Christ  Jesus"  might 
have  been  eternally  damned,  if  it  had  not  been  for 
the  election  of  God.  "  And  he  has  to  ascribe,^^  saith 
Edwards,  ^^  his  freedom  from  eternal  damnation,  to 
Ma^  ELECTION."  We  give  this  doctrine  «5  an  ex- 
ample of  the  dangerous  tendency  of  a  belief  in  two 
DISTINCT  natures  in  the  person  of  Jesus,  to  mis- 
lead the  mind. 

11.  We  wish  all  our  readers  to  understand  us  dis- 
tinctly  that  we  believe  that  the  very  Eternal  Son  and 
Divine  Image  of  God  became  a  true  Man,  or  that 
";God"  "  the  Word  WAS  MADE  FLESH."  And 
that,  therefore,  as  God  became  a  Man,  he  often  spoke 


254  THE  MAN  JESUS  CHRIST. 

as  a  raan,  because  he  suffered^  felt^  and  was  "in  all 
points  TEMPTED  like  as  we  are,  yet  without  siii.^^ 
Therefore  all  his  expressions  of  apparent  inferiority 
to  God,  were  acts  of  "  humiliation,^^  spoken  as  a 
true  and  very  man;  for  "it  behoved"  him  "to 
suffer,"  and  to  be  tempted  like  as  we  are;  and 
as  despair  of  God's  mercy  is  one  of  our  peculiar 
temptations  just  before  we  are  ^'•horn  again,^^  he 
must  NECESSARILY  yeeZ  this  awful  temptation. 
This  was  experienced  on  the  cross,  when  he  cried 
out,  "  My  God  !  My  God  !  why  hast  thou  forsaken 
me!"  And  yet,  being  ^^  the  true  God,^^  he  at  that 
hour  pardoned,  justified,  and  redeemed  the  penitent 
thief  who  trusted  in  him,  AND  "  BY  HIMSELF 
purged  our  sins,^^  (see  Heb.  i.  3.)  As  he  declared 
to  Isaiah,  "  And  I  looked,  and  there  was  none  to 
help,  and  I  wondered  and  there  was  noiie  to  uphold; 
therefore  MINE  OWN  ARM  brought  salvation  unto 
me,  and  my  fury  it  upheld  me."  Isa.  Lxiii.  5.  There- 
fore the  Man  Jesus  "was"  God  "%  himself. "^^ 

12.  We  believe  that  when  "God  was  made 
flesh,"  and  became  "  a  man,"  and  "  purchased  us 
with  his  OWN  Blood,''"'  he  changed  not,  for  it  was 
according  to  HIS  OWN  everlasting  and  "ETER- 
NAL PURPOSE,"  as  the  Apostle  declares  Eph.  iii. 
11,  that  he  became  a  man.  It  was  therefore  an 
UNCHANGEABLE  PURPOSE.  W^e  believe  that 
Jesus,  the  Triune  God  who  died  for  us,  will  reign 
WITHOUT  END,  over  all  Gods,  and  Lords,  and 
Angels,  and  redeemed  souls  of  men,  supremely,  as 
THE  ONLY  POTENTATE;  and  that  to  HIS 
kingdom  and  dominion  there  will  be  NO  END,  as 
the  Scriptures  fully  testify.  See  Deut.  xxxii.  15, 
39;  and  1  Cor.  x.  4;  also  Isa.  xLiii.  10,  11.  See 
Psa.  XLV.  6  ;  and  Heb.  i-  8.  See  Psa.  xciii.  2  ;  cxlv. 
13 ;  Isa.  ix.  6, 7  ;  Micah  iv.  7 ;  Luke  i.  33 ;  Col.  i.  16 ; 


THE  MAN  JESUS  CHRIST.  255 

1.  Pet.  iv.  11  ;  2  Pet.  i.  11  ;  Rev.  i.  6  ;  xi.  15;  xxi. 

23.  We  believe,  therefore,  from  the  many  records  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  those  just  quoted,  that, 
after  the  final  judgment  at  the  "last  day,"  "the 
Eternal  Son,"  even  the  LORD  JESUS,  who  suffered 
and  died  for  us  on  Mount  Calvary,  who  is  the  LORD 
JEHOVAH  HIMSELF,  Isa.  xii.  2;  see  also  Isa. 
xxvi.  1,4;  who  is  the  CREATOR  and  MAKER  of 
all  things  visible  and  invisible,"  and  who  "  was 
BEFORE  all  things,  Col.  i.  16,  17,— we  believe 
that  HE,  even  the  GOD  who  died  for  us,  will  "  SIT" 
(as  he  declares)  "  ON  THE  THRONE  OF  HIS 
GLORY!!"  Matt.  xxv.  31,  "FOREVER  AND 
EVER,"  Heb.  i.  8.*  And  as  the  "  BLESSED  AND 
ONLY  POTENTATE,  the  KING  of  kings,  and 
LORD  of  Lords,"  1  Tim.  vi.  15,  and  HEIR  of 
ALL  THINGS,"  Heb.  i.  2,  (because  "  all  things 
were  made  by  him  and  for  him,^^)  "  HE  SHALL 
REIGN"  "IN  HIS  everlasting  kingdom,"  "to 
which  there  shall  be  no  end  !"  2  Pet.  ill;  Luke 
i.  33.  And  this  Almighty  Being  is  JESUS  !  THE 
MAN,  called  the  "  humanity,"  who  suffered^  and 
groaned^  and  bled^  and  died  for  us  on  Mount  Cal- 
vary; "and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own 
Bloodr  Rev.  i.  5.  This  is  the  "ETERNAL 
SON,"  on  whom  this  Church  is  founded,  EVEN 
JEHOVAH,  THE  ETERNAL  ROCK  OF  AGES." 
Isa.  xxvi.  4.  AND  TO  THIS  MAN  JESUS,  even 
to  HIM,  be  "  GLORY  and  DOMINION  forever 
and  everV     Amen!  Hallelujah  I 


256  THE  "true  god' 

CHAPTER  III. 
THE  "TRUE  GOD"  SUFFERED. 

1.  We  believe  that  God  "the  Word"  was 
"MADE  FLESH,  and  dwelt  among  us,"  as  the 
Apostle  testifies,  John  i.  14.  And  in  this  wonderful 
humiliation,  as  a  TRUE  and  VERY  MAN,  he 
brought  himself  into  a  capacity  for  suffering,  and 
became  PASSIBLE.  But  notwithstanding  he  thus 
"  took  upon  him  theybrm  of  a  servant,"  he  never- 
theless ^//ec?  all  things  at  that  time,  as  he  did  from 
all  eternity ;  "  upholding  all  things  by  the  word  of 
his  power."  Heb.  i.  3;  John  xv.  5.  "And  by 
him,"  saith  the  same  Apostle,  "ALL  THINGS 
CONSIST."  Col.  i.  17.  He  possessed  "all 
power"  "in  heaven  and  in  earth,"  as  he  declared, 
Matt,  xxviii.  18.  And  was  "  IN  HEAVEN"  whilst 
he  "  dwelt  among  us"  upon  earth,  as  he  declared 
unto  Nicodemus.  John  iii.  13.  The  elements,  and 
all  things,  were  subject  unto  his  holy  wnll,  and 
obeyed  him.  Matt.  viii.  26  ;  Mark  iv.  39  ;  John  xi. 
43,  44;  Mark  v.  7  to  15.  In  this  last  quotation 
from  Mark,  Jesus  cast  out  the  "Legion,"  so  that 
the  devil  and  his  angels  are  also  subject  unto  him, 
and  can  do  nothing  to  hurt  "Ms  elect,''^  but  by  his 
permission.  This  was  verified  in  the  case  of  Job, 
recorded  in  the  first  and  second  chapters  of  the  book 
of  Job. 

2.  His  creative  power  was  manifested  just  as 
fully  in  the  feeding  of  the  "five  thousand  men,  be- 
sides women  and  children,"  as  when  he  created  the 
worlds.  Because  this  was  a  new  creation.  He 
not    only    multiplied    the    "^ve    loaves    and    two 

fshes^^  to  feed  to  fullness  this  multitude,  but  they 


257 

"  took  up  of  the  fragments  that  remained  twelve 
baskets  full,"  Matt.  xiv.  17  to  21.  This  supera- 
bundance over  and  above  the  original  quantity  after 
the  multitude  were  fed,  shows  to  a  demonstration^ 
that  the  multitude  were  actually  fed  on  substantial 
food,  and  that  there  was  a  NEW  CREATION  of 
*'  loaves  and  fishes."  But  this  Miraculous  Creation 
was  not  according  to  the  laws  of  natural  production, 
(as  some  would  assert;)  for  he  then  created  bread 
and  fish,  as  though  they  had  passed  through  the 
fire!  Truly  "  by  him,  (The  Dear  Son,)  all  things 
consist:"  as  saith  the  apostle.  Col.  i.  13,  17. 

3.  We  mean  to  show,  by  these  quotations  and  ar- 
guments, that  the  MAN  JESUS  was  God.  And  as 
Saint  Paul  testifies  that  the  "  fullness  of  the  god- 
head," or  the  WHOLE  GODHEAD,  "  dwelt"  in 
that  holy  body  which  was  nailed  unto  the  cross 
"  BODILY,"  Col.  ii.  9,  therefore  the  total,  or  the 
triune  God  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
died  on  the  cross,  and  resigned  his  body  unto  the 
sepulchre.  And  here  we  wish  all  our  readers  to 
understand  us  distinctly  (even  a  child  may  learn) — 
That,  as  the  immortal  soul  of  a  man  does  not  die 
when  the  body  dies  [witness  the  penitent  thief;  he 
died,  and  yet  his  soul  was  that  very  day  alive  and 
immortal  with  his  crucified  Lord  in  Paradise],  in 
like  manner  when  Jesus,  "  the  true  God,^^  died 
on  the  cross,  it  was  the  BODY  of  God  ONLY 
which  died,  or  '^  gave  up  the  Ghost,"  and  which 
was  buried,  and  which  HE  took  up  again  when 
he  arose  on  the  third  day.  But  GOD,  as  regards 
his  spirit  or  soul,  was  in  Paradise  that  very  day,  to- 
gether with  the  redeemed  thief,  whom  he  justified. 
Therefore,  Saint  John  declares,  "  Hereby  perceive 
we  the  love  of  GOD,  because  HE  laid  down  HIS 
LIFE  for  us,"*^  1  John  iii.  16.    And  this  is  evident 


258    ON  BELIEF  AND  ON  MIRACULOUS  FAITH. 

from  the  followinjy  saying  of  Jesus  himself,  *'But 
now  they  have  SEEN  and  hated  BOTH  me  and  my 
Father.''^  John  xv.  24.  Truly  those  who  saw  Je- 
sus, saw  the  Father,  and  "  besides  him,  the  First  and 
the  Last,  there  is  no  God"  nor  "  Saviour."  See  Isa. 
XLiv.  6;  also  xLiii.  10,  11.  And  therefore  *' the 
true  God"  suffered. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
ON  BELIEF  AND  ON  MIRACULOUS  FAITH. 

1.  John  the  Baptist  testifies,  "I  indeed  baptize  you 
with  WATER  unto  REPENTANCE.  But  he  that 
Cometh  after  me  is  mightier  than  I,  whose  .shoes  I 
am  not  worthy  to  bear;  HE  SHALL  BAPTIZE  YOU 
WITH  THE  HOLY  GHOST  AND  WITH  FIRE," 
Matt.  iii.  11.  Our  glorious  Redeemer  declares, 
"  He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized,  shall  be  saved, 
and  he  that  believeth  not^  shall  be  dmnned^''^  Mark 
xvi.  16.  In  the  foregoino;  text,  water  baptism  was 
"  U7ito  repentance''^  ONLY,  but  the  baptism  which 
Jesus  baptizes  with,  SAVES  THE  SOUL,  "For  he 
that  believeth  and  is  baptized"  with  HIS  baptism, 
''SHALL  BE  SAVED."  And  His  baptism  is  the 
baptism  of  "  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  with  Fire,"  see 
Acts  ii.  1-4. 

2.  Now  we  understand  (as  a  church),  by  the  word 
"  believeth,"  living  fait  J i  and  belief \n  Jesus  himself. 
As  he  declares,  "If  ye  believe  not  that  I  AM  HE, 
ye  shall  die  in  your  sins^  and  whither  I  go,  ye  cannot 
come^'^  John  viii.  21,  24.  That  is,  if  ye  "believe 
not"  that  Jesus  is  your  ONLY  Saviour,  as  he  de- 
clared unto  the  Prophet  Isaiah,  ye  shall  die  in  your 
sins.     His  declaration  is,  '-'•  Before  me  there  was  no 


ON  BELIEF  AND  ON  MIRACULOUS  FAITH.         259 

God  formed,  neither  shall  there  be  after  me;  I,  even 
I,  am  tlie  Lord^  and  besides  me  there  is  no  Saviour," 
Isa.  xLiii.  10,  11.  So  that  "  there  IS  no  Saviour  and 
God,^^  but  Jesus.  And  they  who  believe  this  "  shall 
be  saved,"  and  they  who  believe  not  that  Jesus  the 
ONLY  begotten  SON,  is  the  one  ONLY  Saviour, 
"shall  be  damned,"  as  he  himself  declares. 

3.  The  Jews  were  "broken  off,"  '■^because  of 
unbelief  and  ''left  desolate,''  Rom.  xi.  20,  Matt, 
xxiii.  38,  and  "  cast  out,''  Matt.  viii.  12.  Yet  the 
Jews  believed  in  God,  and  boasted  of  it.  They 
believed  in  revelation — in  miracles, — yea,  they  be- 
lieved much  more  than  the  formal  churches  of  the 
present  day  in  an  immediate  communion  of  the  soul 
with  God.  YET  they  rejected  their  only  Saviour,  the 
same  who  spoke  to  their  prophets,  BECAUSE  "  he 
took  upon  him  the  FORM  of  a  servant."  They  did 
not  believe  HIM  to  be  the  "  I  AM"  as  he  declared 
he  was;  so,  they  were  ''cast  out,"  and  scattered 
throughout  the  world.  Saint  John  declares,  that 
Jesus  is  "  the  TRUE  GOD  and  Eternal  Life,"  and 
he  himself  dechres,  "  I  and  my  Father  ARE  ONE." 
We  believe,  therefore,  that  GOD  DIED,  see  1  John 
iii.  16,  Acts.  XX.  28,  Rev.  i.  8,  18,  and  ii.  8,  18, 
and  purchased  and  redeemed  us,  with  the  blood  of  his 
cross,  Col.  i.  20.  And  we  are  persuaded  that  those 
who  do  not  believe  that  the  MAN  JESUS  IS  GOD, 
are  no  better  than  the  Jews.  They  said  to  Jesus, 
"for  a  good  work  we  stone  thee  not,  but  for  blas- 
phemy. And  because  that  thou,  being  a  MAN, 
MAKEST  THYSELF  GOD,"  John  x.  33. 

4.  We,  therefore,  put  the  question  to  all  Arians, 
Socinians,  or  other  unbelievers — do  you  believe 
(with  the  Jews,  as  stated  in  the  above  text,)  that  the 
MAN  JESUS,  AS  A  MAN,  had  NO  RIGHT  to  call 
himself  God?     For,  if  you  say  in  your  heart,  that 


260         ON  BELIEF  AND  ON  MIRACULOUS  FAITH. 

this  MAN,  the  humanity^  as  you  call  Jesus,  which 
died  on  the  cross,  is  not  God  "and  the  everlasting 
Father,"  as  the  prophet  (Isaiah  ix.  6)  declares  him 
the  child  and  son,  to  be;  then  you  are  a  Jew  in 
spirit,  and  STONE  JESUS,  and  slay  him  in  '^  his 
members^'  by  your  unbelief.  And  unless  you  re- 
pent, and  believe  him  to  be  your  "  Lord  and  God," 
and  only  Saviour^  so  that  HE  may  have  mercy  on 
you,  you  cast  yourself  under  ''the  wrath  and  the 
curse.''^  And  you  "shall  be  damned" — so  saith 
Jesus,  "the  true  God" — and  you  will  be  consigned 
to  the  regions  of  woe  and  everlasting  misery, 
"  where  their  worm  DIETH  NOT,  and  the  Jire  IS 
NOT  quenched,"  Mark  ix.  44  to  48;  because  you 
believe  not  the  WORDS  of  Jesus.  For  he  de- 
clares, "  the  WORDS  that  I  have  spoken,  the  SAME 
will  judge  him  in  the  last  day.'^'*  John  xii.  48. 

ON  MIRACULOUS  FAITH. 

"Now  FAITH  is  the  SUBSTANCE  of  things 
hoped  for,  THE  EVIDENCE  of  things  not  seen,'' 
Heb.  xi.  1.  Therefore  the  apostle  declares,  that 
FAITH  is  the  GIFT  OF  GOD,  Eph.  ii.  8.  This 
is  the  belief  of  this  church.  Faith  is  not  an  act  of 
the  creature^  as  some  vainly  suppose,  but  it  is  an  act 
of  Christ  Jesus,  by  BELIEF  in  him.  For  Jesus  is 
the  only  evidence  of  things  not  seen,  see  John  i.  9, 
and  vi.  45,  and  2  Tim.  i.  10.  And  Jesus  is  the 
true  substance  or  bread  of  heaven,  as  he  declares, 
"  I  am  that  Bread  of  Life,"  "  I  am  the  Living 
Bread,"  John  vi.  48,  51. 

2.  Therefore,  miraculous  faith  is  all  powerful  and 
Almighty,  even  in  the  smallest  degree,  even  "  as  a 
grain  of  mustard  seed,"  Matt.  xvii.  20,  and  depends 


ON  BELIEF  AND  ON  MIRACULOUS  FAITH.    261 

not  on  quantity^  but  on  {Jif-EVIDENCEe#j)  without 
doubt. 

3.  [Our  Lord  declares  (Luke  xviii.  to  8th), 
"  When  the  Son  of  Man  coraeth,"  shall  he  find 
FAITH  on  the  earth!  We,  therefore,  maintain  that 
unbelief  in  the  Eternity  and  Divinity  of  Jesus,  the 
Son  and  Saviour,  will  bring  on  the  "  last  judgment," 
and  dissolution  of  the  world.  The  apostle  declares 
that  all  things  consist,  or  are  upheld  by  the  "  dear 
So7i^^^  Col.  i.  17.  He,  therefore, ^toA  all  things 
to  fullness^  and  if  he  should  -withdraw  his  power, 
which  upholds  all  things^  nature  must  *'  pass  away."] 

4.  Therefore,  when  an  ACT  OF  FAITH  is  per^ 
formed^  it  is  done  through  Jesus  himself  thai  "filleth 

all  things:"  He  doeth  the  wonders.  Jesus  the  Son 
himself  who  filleth  all  things,  moveth  each  atom  of 
matter  to  perform  the  miracles  and  the  wonders. 

5.  Therefore,  although  the  creature  may  be  "the 
temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost,"  yet,  in  performing  an 
act  of  faith^  he  doth  it  through  the  impulse^  or 
through  the  direct  counsel^  of  Jesus,  who  is  the 
'*  wonderful  Counsellor,"  and  God,  even  Jesus,  doth 
the  miracle  HIMSELF,  be  it  the  conversion  of  the 
soul^ox  any  other  act  of  faith  :  '•'■  so  then  it  is  not  of 
him  that  willeth^  nor  of  him  that  runneth,  but  OF 
GOD  that  sheweth  mercy,"  Rom.  ix.  16. 

6.  There  is  also  a  dead  Laodicean  faiths  which 
thinks  itself  '*  rich,^^  but  is  "  wretched,  and  misera- 
ble, and  poor,  and  blind,  and  naked,"   Rev.  iii.  17. 

7.  And  there  is  a  living  faith,  which  heals  both 
soul  and  body.  Glory  be  to  JESUS!  He  is  "  WON- 
DERFUL!" 

8.  We  do  not  as  a  church  exclude  outward 
means  in  sickness,  nor  medical  aid,  but  we  say  to. 
all  believers^  FIRST  try  the  prescription  of  Saint 
James.    He  declares  *'  the  prayer  of  faith  shall  save 


262  ORIGINAL  SIN. 

the  sick,  and  (kf-  the  LORD  shall  raise  him  up,  and 
if  he  have  committed  sins,  they  shall  be  forgiven 
him!^^  James  v.  14,  15. 


CHAPTER  V. 
ORIGINAL  SIN. 

According  to  the  Scripture  of  the  Old  and  New 
Testaments,  Original  Sin  appears  to  have  its  be- 
ginning with  Lucifer.  Isaiah  thus  testifies:  "  How 
art  thou  follen  from  heaven,  0  Lucifer,  son  of  the 
morning, — For  thou  hast  said  in  thy  heart,  I  will 
be  like  the  MOST  HIGH,— yet  thou  shalt  be  brought 
down  to  hell,"  Isa.  xiv.  12  to  15  verses.  This  agrees 
with  Jude  :  he  says,  "  And  the  angels  which  kept  not 
their  first  estate,  but  left  their  own  habitation,  he  hath 
reserved  in  everlasting  chains."  Jesuscalls  the  devil 
the  father  of  lies,  and  declares  "  he  was  a  murderer 
from  the  beginning,  and  abode  not  in  the  truth," 
John  viii.  44.  This  shows  his  fall.  But  the  follow- 
ing declaration  of  Jesus  is  decisive  :  ^^  I  beheld  Satan 
as  lightning  FALL  FROM  HEAVEN."  This  pas- 
sage confirms  the  declaration  of  Isaiah.  In  Rev.  xii. 
chap.,  7  to  12  verses,  is  this  record,  "  And  there  was 
war  in  heaven.  Michael  and  his  ano;els  fought 
against  the  dragon,  and  the  dragon  fought  and  his 
angels,  and  prevailed  not,  neither  was  their  place 
found  any  more  IN  HEAVEN,  and  the  great  dragon 
was  cast  out,  that  OLD  SERPENT  called  the  Devil, 
and  Satan,  which  DECEIVETH  the  whole  world,  he 
was  cast  out."^^  And  to  this  deceiver  we  ascribe  the 
origin  of  sin. 

2.  It  was  this  *'  old  serpent  the  devil  and  satan," 


ORIGINAL  SIN.  263 

which  tempted  Adam  and  Eve  in  Paradise,  and  who 
said  unto  the  woman,  "  thou  shalt  not  surely  die," 
(see  Gen.  iii.  1  to  15  verses;)  he  said  this  against  the 
express  command  of  God,  and  the  penaUy  of  death, 
"  Thou  shalt  surely  die ^"^"^  Gen.  ii.  17.  It  was  Adam 
and  Eve's  submission  to  this  temptation,  that  caused 
their  fall,  and  entailed  upon  all  the  human  race,  the 
penalty  of  eternal  death,  and  placed  them  under  the 
''^  wrath  of  God,"  in  "the  curse  ;^^  see  Gen.  iii.  17, 
18,  19,  Eph.  ii.  3,  Mark  ix.  43,  48. 

3.  The  commandment  given  unto  Adam  was, 
*'  And  the  Lord  God  commanded  the  man,  saying, 
Of  every  tree  in  the  garden  thou  mayest  freely  eat, 
but  of  the  tree  of  the  knowledge  of  good  and  evil, 
thou  shalt  not  eat  of  it,  for  in  the  day  thou  eatest  there- 
of, THOU  SHALT  SURELY  DIE,"  Gen.  ii.  16, 
17.  Adam  and  Eve  partook  o(  ihe  forbidden  fruit, 
and  died  that  day,  unto  the  Divine  Life,  "  Where- 
fore," saith  the  apostle,  "  by  one  man  SIN  entered 
into  the  world,  and  DEATH  by  sin,  and  SO  DEATH 
PASSED  UPON  ALL  MEN,"  Rom.  v.  12.  And 
the  same  apostle  declares,  "  Among  whom  also  we 
wei'e  by  nature  the  children  of  wrath,  even  as  others, ^^ 
Eph.  ii.  3. 

4.  We,  therefore,  believe  in  original  or  inborn 
sin.  And  we  believe  the  Scripture,  that  Adam 
DIED  the  very  day  that  he  transgressed,  yet  not 
externally^  but  he  died  spiritually  or  internally  to 
the  Divine  Life,  and  thus  separated  himself  from  his 
Creator  JESUS  CHRIST,  and  was  prevented  from 
eating  any  more  of  HIM,  "  the  Tree  of  Life," 
and  ''  living  bread,"  by  the  intervention  of  a 
FLAMING  SWORD,  Gen.  iii.  24,  whose  cutting, 
severe  and  "  strait''''  influence,  every  man  must  ex- 
perience,  before   he   can    be    restored,   and    enter 


264  ON  CONVICTION  AND  REPENTANCE. 

**  unto  life,''  through  the  New  Birth.  See  Matt.  vii. 
14. 


CHAPTER  VI. 
ON  CONVICTION  AND  REPENTANCE. 

1.  We  believe  that  evangelical  or  gospel  convic- 
tion, is  an  operation  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  and  an 
unmerited  act  of  God's  mercy  on  the  soul,  which 
drives  or  impels  a  raan  to  enter  into  a  state  of 
*'godly  sorrow"  and  repentance,  against  his  natural 
will;  see  Rom.  ix.  15  to  19. 

2.  And  although  he  would  '*  quench  the  operations 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,^''  to  ease  his  conscience,  and 
thus,  like  '*  Saul  of  Tarsus,"  fight  against  God,  yet 
as  he  now  has  this  effectual  call,  (Rom.  viii.  28, 
29,  30,)  Heb.  ix.  15,  he  begins  a  spiritual  warfare, 
Eph.  vi.  11  to  18.  He  is  '*  driven  by  the  spirit 
into  the  wilderness,"  like  his  Divine  Master,  (for 
Jesus  "  was  tempted"  "  like  as  we  are.")  That  is, 
he  is  driven  into  great  anxiety,  and  *'  tribulation," 
not  having  any  rest,  and  is  now  in  this  state  of 
mind,  assailed  and  tempted  by  the  devil,  and 
alternately  ridiculed,  or  pitied,  or  scorned,  or  con- 
demned by  a  blind  and  unregenerated  world,  as 
one  "  beside  himself''  (as  they  said  of  our  Re- 
deemer, Mark  iii.  21,)  and  they  consider  him  only 
fit  for  a  lunatic  asylum. 

3.  The  person  convicted  of  sin  has  to  use  other 
^^  weapons''"'  now  than  those  "  which  are  carnal;''^ 
he  is  drawn  into  prayer,  and  constrained,  2  Cor. 
V.  14,  as  the  apostle  says,  with  a  ''VEHEMENT 
DESIRE,"  (2  Cor.  vii.  11,  Psalm  c.  3,)  to  seek 


ON  CONVICTION  AND  REPENTANCE.  265 

deliverance  from  the  load  of  guilt  and  sin,  which 
the  Lord  Jesus,  the  *'  true  light,"  now  opens  to  his 
view  in  all  its  horrors.  And  the  continual  cry,  or 
language  of  his  soul  is,  "  0  wretched  man  that  I 
am!  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this 
death!"  Rom.  vii.  24;  Psal.  ix.  13. 

4.  The  person  tJws  convicted  is  "DRAWN  UNTO 
JESUS,"  and  is  humbled  into  repentance,  into  a 
sincere,  heartfelt,  and  "  godly  sorrow,''''  as  the  apos- 
tle declares,  "  not  to  be  repented  of,"  2  Cor.  vii.  10. 

5.  We  believe  this  Anxiety,  Tribulation,  An- 
guish and  Groaning,  which  cannot  he  uttered,  Rom. 
viii.  26,  is  the  "strait  gate  and  narrow  way  which 
leadeth  unto  life,"  (see  Matt.  vii.  13,  14,)  and  is  the 
condition  of  all  who  are  "  called  of  God,''"'  Heb.  v.  4, 
before  their  justification,  conversion  or  regeneration 
— whether  they  be  open  sinners  or  rigid  moralists. 

6.  For  "  the  Scripture  hath  concluded  all  under 
sin,^^  saith  the  apostle,  (Gal.  iii.  22,  and  ALL  under 
death,  Matt.  viii.  22,)  Luke  ix.  60,  John  v.  24. 
And  all  must  pass  through  great  tribulation,  &c., 
suffering,  and  the  death  of  the  "  self-will,"  2  Pet. 
ii.  10,  before  they  can  pass  "from  death  unto  life," 
John  V.  24,  Rom.  vii.  9,  10,  11 — which  holy  and 
DIVINE  LIFE  is  the  PRESENCE  of  JESUS  m  the 
soul,  for  he  that  HATH  THE  SON,  HATH  LIFE, 
and  he  that  hath  not  the  son,  hath  not  life^  1  John 
V.  12.  But  as  Jesus  himself  declared,  "  the  WRATH 
OF  GOD  ahideth  on  him,"  John  iii.  3,  36. 


CHAPTER  Vn. 

ON  REGENERATION,  OR  THE  NEW  BIRTH. 

1.  We  believe  in  the  NEW  BIRTH,  according 
to  the   following  declaration  of  our  glorious  Re- 
20 


266         ON  REGENERATION,  OR  THE  NEW  BIRTH. 

deemer:  *«  VERILY,  VERILY  I  say  unto  thee,  ex- 
cept a  man  BE  BORN  AGAIN,  he  cannot  see  the 
kingdom  of  God.^^  This  is  the  declaration  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,  our  Almighty  Redeemer,  to  Nicodemus, 
a  ruler  of  the  Jews.  And  on  the  inquiry  of  Nico- 
demus, *.'  How  can  a  man  be  horn  again  when  he  is 
oldV  our  Lord  repeats  the  injunction,  and  defines 
the  manner  in  these  words  :  *'  Verily^  verily^  I  say 
unto  thee,  except  a  man  be  BORN  AGAIN  OF 
WATER  and  of  the  SPIRIT,  HE  CANNOT  EN- 
TER  INTO  THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD,"  John 
iii.  3,  4,  5.  ^ 

2.  We,  the  church  of  the  Sternal  Son,  give  glory 
to  JESUS,  the  TRIUNE  GOD,  that  he  has  given  us 
powe?',  and  made  us  capable  ojf  becoming  ADOPT- 
ED ''sons  of  God,''  John  i.  12,  13,  through  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  "  the  spirit  of  adoption.'' 
Rom.  viii.  14,  16.  WE  are  not  sons, in  this  sense,hy 
creation — but  in  such  a  way  and  manner,  that  we 
become  SONS  of  God  by  ADOPTION ;  that  is,  we 
are  adopted  u7ito  God,  by  an  immediate  union  and 
indwelling  of  his  spirit.  Rom.  viii.  9  ;  1  Cor.  vi.  19. 

3.  The  Eternal  Son,  even  Jesus,  WAS  BEGOT- 
TEN OUT  OF  THE  FATHER'S  own  ESSENCE 
''from  of  old,  from  everlasting,"  Micah  v.  2.  And 
HERE  is  the  evangelical  or  gospel  difference  be- 
tween the  created  finite  and  adopted  sons,  even  men, 
and  the  infinite  ETERNAL  and  ONLY  BEGOT- 
TEN SON,  even  Jesus. — We  were  created,  HE  was 
begotten;  and  we  wish  our  readers  to  note  very  par- 
ticularly, that  the  word  ONLY  is  used  in  connection 
with  the  word  begotten — that  is,  there  is  NO  SON 
BEGOTTEN  OF  THE  Father  but  the  Lord  Jesus. 
(See  the  subject  Eternal  Generation.) 

4.  We  believe  that,  in  using  the  word  WATER 
(in  the  new  birth),  our  Lord  did  not  mea7i  the  out- 
ward elementary  water,  or,  that  we  should  (on  receiv- 


OR  THE  NEW  BIRTH.         267 

ing  the  new  birth,  and  adoption  of  sons,  Gal.  iv.  5), 
he  sprinkled^  or  dipped  in  outward  water,  which  is 
John  the  Baptist's  Baptism,  and  was  to  repentance 
only.  See  Matt.  iii.  11,  Mark  i.  4,  Lukeiii.  3,  Acts 
xiii.  24,  xix.  4.  (By  referring  to  these  texts,  every 
sincere  inquirer  will  be  convinced,  that  outward 
water  baptism  is  to  repentance  only.)  We  believe 
our  Lord  meant  by  ^'  Water  and  the  Spirit^^^  the 
"  WATER  OF  LIFE,"  (John  iv.  10,  14,)  Rev. 
xxi.  6,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  of  Life,  which  took 
place  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  when  the  apostles 
first  received,  and  were  all  filled  with,  the  HOLY 
GHOST.     See  Acts  li.  1,  2,  3,  4. 

5.  And  THIS  ALL  GLORIOUS  GIFT,  the 
apostle  positively  assures  us,  was  received  by  US 
GENTILES,  the  same  as  by  the  apostles  them- 
selves, "  in  the  beginning,'^  on  the  day  of  Pentecost. 
See  Acts  xi.  15,  x.  45,  46;  also  chap.  iv.  31. 

6.  And  it  is  this  holy  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost — 
the  Holy  Spirit — the  Spirit  of  Truth — and  Com- 
forter, which  we,  the  members  of  the  Church  of  the 
Eternal  Son,  individually  and  collectively  profess 
to  have  received  in  our  own  ^'  passage  from  death  unto 
Ife,''  John  V.  24. 

7.  We,  therefore,  understand  our  Lord  to  mean  by 
the  word  water,  ''  LIVING  WATER,"  as  he  de- 
clared John  iv.  10,  vii.  38;  and  Saint  Paul,  (Ephe- 
sians  v.  26,)  calls  it  the  ''  WASHING  OF  WATER 
i^hy  the  word."  Also  the  i^  "WASHING  of 
REGENERATION,"  .#$  Titus  iii.  5.  And  the 
evangelist  declares,  ''the  LAMB  shall  lead  them 
unto  LIVING  FOUNTAINS  OF  WATERS,"  Rev. 
vii.  17,  xxi.  6.  And  Jesus  finally  declared.  Rev. 
xxii.  17,  "Whosoever  will,  let  him  take  of  the 
WATER  OF  LIFE  freely.'' 

8.  We,  therefore,  believe  that  to  be  born  again  of 


268        ON  REGENERATION,  OR  THE  NEW  BIRTH. 

water  and  the  Spirit^  has  no  reference  TO,  or  associa' 
tion  'V^lTYi^  outward  ivater  baptism  :  (which  the  thief 
on  the  cross  certainly  did  not  receive,  although  he 
went  that  day  with  his  Lord  into  Paradise.) 

9.  We  maintain  that  the  text  means,  that  "o/je- 
ration^^  and  "  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with 
fire,''  (Luke  iii.  16,)  which  washes  and  cleanses, 
and  fifs  the  soul  to  become  a  RECEPTACLE  and 
TEMPLE  OF  JESUS,  et;e72  of  the  HOLY  GHOST, 
which  is  the  TRUE  FTRE,  Matt.  iii.  11. 

10.  THE  FIRE  OF  GOD'S  LOVE  then  burns 
and  shines  triumphantly  in  the  soul,  which  is  com- 
pared by  our  Lord  to  the  blowing  of  wind,  John  iii. 
8.  And  is  also  recorded  in  a  peculiar  manner  in 
the  Acts  of  the  apostles,  Acts  ii.  2,  as  of  a  rushing 
mighty  wind. 

11.  We  believe  the  souls  of  men  thus  have 
power  given  to  them,  at  the  time  of  regeneration,  (as 
the  apostle  testifies,)  to  enter  into  the  HOLIEST 
hy  {he  blood  of  Jesus,  Heh.  x.  19,  and  they  are  there 
met  by  the  Almighty  Bndegroom^even  Jesus  himself 
in  GREAT  JOY,  and  LAUGHING  happiness;  and 
they  realize  the  saying  of  our  glorious  Lord,"  Blessed 
are  ye  that  weep  now,  FOR  YE  SHALL  LAUGH," 
Luke  vi.  21.  This  is  the  experience  of  the  members 
of  this  church,  hallelujah!  But  which  none  realize 
who  deny  the  eternal  sonship  of  Jesus,  or  that  he 
existed  in  heaven  AS  A  SON  from  all  eternity. 

12.  They  who  obtain  this  joy,  can  WORSHIP 
JESUS  with  the  whole  heart,  as  "  the  Lord  God  of 
the  holy  prophets,"  (see  Rev.  xxii.  6,)  and  only 
God  of  their  salvation  :  For  HE  dwells  within  them. 
And  we  believe  that  this  abode  of  Jesus  m  the  souls 
of  his  children,  does  not  mean,  as  many  suppose, 
that  he  dwells  in  the  soul  by  his  words  or  sayings, 
(as  when  we  say  ?i  friend  dwells  in  our  minds;)  and 


ON  REGENERATION,  OR  THE  NEW  BIRTH.        269 

that  he  himself  siis  afar  off^  at  the  right  hand  of  the 
Father,  separate  from  the  soul  of  the  regenerated; 
but  we  believe  that  he  actually  2ind  personally  dwells 
in  the  soul,  as  perfectly  so  as  the  soul  dwells  in  the 
body.  He  is,  therefore,  IMMEDIATELY  IN  and 
with  us  *'  always^  even  unto  the  end  of  the  wo7'ld,^^ 
as  he  declares.  And  this  is  ihat  new  creation  which 
is  wrought  in  every  soul  by  the  new  birth,  or  when 
*'born  again."  And  therefore  this  shows  the  utter 
impossibility  of  any  soul  entering  into  the  Kingdom 
of  Heaven  after  death^  who  has  not  entered  into 
the  Kingdom  of  God  in  this  life,  for  Jesus  declares, 
"Behold!  the  kingdom  of  God  is  WITHIN  YOU." 
Luke  xvii.  21.  And  this  INDWELLING  of  Jesus 
in  the  soul,  and  his  glorious  Light  which  necessa- 
rily CLOTHES  THE  SOUL,  is  that  which  is  deno- 
minated "  the  WEDDING  GARMENT."  This  is 
the  only  token  of  admission  into  the  abodes  of  **  the 
Blessed."  See  Matt.  xxii.  3  to  13. 

13.  Those  who  have  this  belief,  have  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  have  become  ''^partakers  of  the  divine 
nature,"  saith  Saint  Peter,  2  Peter  i.  4.  They  are 
also  partakers  of  the  holy  "VIRTUE"  which 
FLOWED  OUT  OF  JESUS  OUR  GOD,  (see  Luke 
viii.  46,  Mark  V.  30,)  and  healed  all  who  touched  him: 
because  Jesus  and  the  Father  dwell  in  the  soul  of 
such  a  believer,  (see  John  xiv.  23,)  and  the  "  VIR- 
TVE'' flows  from  THEM  through  the  true  believer. 

14.  This  "  virtue,^^  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  are  both 
communicable  by  contact,  Luke  viii.  43-46 — by 
the  laying  on  of  hands.  Acts  viii.  18,  or  by  earnest 
vocal  or  secret  prayer,  Acts  iv.  31.  Therefore  "we 
are  cautioned  by  the  apostle  to  ^^  Lay  hands  suddenly 
on  no  man,^"*  1  Tim.  v.  22.  And  Jesus  commands 
us  not  to  cast  our  pearls  before  swine.  Matt.  vii.  6. 
We,   therefore,  earnestly   entreat  our   brethren  to 


270        ON  REGENERATION,  OR  THE  NEW  BIRTH. 

look  for  counsel  to  Jesus.  They  should  first  ques- 
tion the  mourner — and  impress  upon  his  mind  that 
Jesus  is  his  only  God  and  Saviour,  before  they  at- 
tempt to  heal  his  soul  or  body,  or  the  soul  and  body 
of  the  afflicted. 

15.  They  who  believe  that  Jesus,  who  "  was  dead," 
is  the  only  God,  receive  at  seasons  of  divine  mercy, 
the  blessing  of  PERFECT  LOVE,  even  the  Holy 
Love  of  Jesus.  The  whole  soul  becomes  wrapt  up 
in  the  ineffable  joy  of  the  Holy  Comforter.  The 
soul  thus  blessed,  can  then  say,  O  Jesus!  this  is 
thy  hovel  it  is  Love! — it  is  Love! — it  is  Love. 
And  ''  what  am  I,  0  what  am  I  ?"  saith  the  soul,  in 
its  lowliness.  I  am  nothing,  I  am  nothing.  But 
thou,  O  Jesus!  thou  art  all,  thou  art  MY  God!  O, 
Glory!  0,  Jesus! — Jesus! — thou  art  Love! — thou 
art  "  the  Wonderful"  unspeakable  Love! — 0,  my 
soul  IS  happy — hallelujah  !! 

16.  And  we,  the  members  of  this  church,  have 
FELT  this  I^ove  !  We  have  passed  through  the 
struggle,  the  pang  and  the  agony  of  soul,  called  the 
''  STRAIT  GATE,"  which  all  mustfeel,  before  they 
are  "  born  again ;^^  before  their  souls  can  be  deliver- 
ed from  the  iron  bands  of  sin,  and  break  forth  into 
the  joys  of-'-the  blessing^'' — into  the  joys  of  that  pure 
unspeakable  LOVE  which  flutters  in  the  soul  with 
rapturous  delight.  It  is  the  DOVE,  yea,  "  the 
PRINCE  OF  PEACE!"  even  JESUS.  May  all 
who  read  this  article  come  to  this  follness  of  joy  ! 
7%i5Z5''THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD  WITHIN" 
the  soul,  as  Jesus  declares,  Luke  xvii.  20,  21,  and 
of  which  we  so  often  speak,  and  sing  of  in  our 
hymns.  It  is  this  which  takes  away  the  sting  of 
death,  and  giveth  us  the  victory  !  Hallelujah  ! 

17.  We  often  hear  persons  pray  that  they  may  be 
KEPT  in  the  "  straight  gate  and  narrow  way  which 


271 

leadeth  unto  life,"  as  declared  by  our  Lord,  Matt, 
vii.  13,  14.  This  is  a  misapprehension  of  the  mean- 
ing of  the  word  "  strait^''''  as  used  by  our  Lord.  The 
word"  strait^^^  in  this  passage,  means  "  strict,  rigor- 
ous; difficult  and  c^is^re^^/k/,"  (see  Walker's  Dic- 
tionary,) as  when  we  say  a  person  "is  in  a  strait.'^^ 
The  word  is  not  spelt  "strai^/it,"  which  means 
*'not  crooked,"  or  which  is  used  for  "  direct"  or 
undeviating.  This  is  the  meaning  attached  to  the 
word  by  those  who  pray,  through  ignorance,  to  be 
kept  in  the  straight  gate.  Every  regenerated  person 
knows,  from  his  own  experience^  what  the  ^^  strait  gate 
and  narrow  way"  means,  because  he  has  passed 
through  that  "  strait  gate  unto  life,"  and  has  felt 
the  strait^  the  distress  and  anguish  of  soul  mentioned 
in  the  text,  when  he  himself  "  passed  from  death 
unto  life,"  and  was  "  born  again"  by  the  baptism 
of  "the  Holy  Ghost,  and  with  fire." 

18.  The  regenerated  soul  rejoices  that  he  has  not 
ox\\y  found  this  "g-a^e"  and  '-'"way^''  but  he  "  re- 
joices evermore^''  that  "  he  (c#-IS-#D  passed  from 
DEATH  UNTO  LIFE,"  (see  John  v.  24,)  by 
going  through  the  strait  gate  and  narrow  way.  He 
therefore  "STANDS  FAST  in  the  LIBERTY 
wherewith  Christ  has  made  him  free,"  Gal.  v.  1 ; 
and,  instead  of  praying  to  be  kept  in  the  strait  and 
distressful  gate,  he  rejoices  with  great  joy  and  shouts 
of  praise,  that  he  is  "BORN  AGAIN,"  and  will 
have  no  more  occasion  to  pass  through  this  "^a^e," 
because  Jesus  has  promised  that  he  "shall  never 
perish."     John  x.  28.     Glory  be  to  his  name! 

19.  The  question  is  often  asked,  "What  is  to 
become  of  the  ignorant  heathen,  which  know  not 
the  Law^  neither  the  commandments — are  they  to 
be  lost,  because  they  are  not*  Born  again?'  God 
is  dijust  and  merciful  being,  and  therefore  certainly 


272        ON  REGENERATION,  OR  THE  NEW  BIRTH. 

would  not  sink  a  soul  into  perdition,  which  had 
never  heard  his  laws  or  commandments."  We  an- 
swer, that  God  is  truly  merciful  and  just;  and  we 
believe  that  he,  in  his  infinite  wisdom,  will  do  full 
and  entire  justice  to  the  departed  souls  of  those  who 
die  in  ignorance  of  his  requirements : — But  we  have 
no  evidence  from  the  declarations  of  Jesus,  or  his 
apostles,  that  any  soul  will  ever  "enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  God,"  unless  he  is  ''  Born  again.''^ 
Therefore  Jesus  declares,  "  Ye  MUST  be  Born 
again  r^  John  iii.  7.  But  we  are  certain,  that  all 
who  have  heard  the  Law  and  the  commandments, 
and  who  do  not  obey  them,  are  sinners  against  the 
requirements  of  God.  And  we  are  most  certainly  in- 
formed, that  '•Hhe  whole  world  lieth  in  wickedness.^^ 
1  John  V.  19.  And  we  are  also  certain,  that  "  the 
Spiril  of  Truth  the  WORLD  cannot  receive  ;  be- 
cause it  seeth  him  not,  neither  knoweth  him;  but  ye 
(my  disciples)  know  him;  for  he  dwelleth  with  you 
and  shall  be  in  you.''''  This  is  the  declaration  of 
Jesus  himself.  John  xv.  17.  Illustrative  of  this, 
Saint  Paul  testifies  that  "the  NATURAL  MAN 
receiveth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  for 
THEY  are  foolishness  unto  him ;  neither  can  he 
know  them,  because  they  are  spiritually  discerned.^^ 
1  Cor.  ii.  14.  And,  as  those  to  whom  we  write, 
are  not  of  the  heathen,  but  have  generally  had  the 
Gospel  preached  unto  them,  either  through  ther 
Bible,  or  vocally,  our  business  is  i^iYA  them;  and  we 
repeat  unto  such  as  these,  "Ye  MUST  be  Born 
again,  or  ye  can  in  NO  WISE,  (in  no  way  or  man- 
ner,)  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God."  We  leave 
the  heathen  to  the  mercy  and  justice  of  God,  even 
of  JESUS,  who  will  dispose  of  them  as  he  pleases, 
for  he  declares  "  My  counsel  shall  stand,  and  I  will 
do  all  7ny  pleasure.''^  Isa.  XLvi.  10.  Amen,  Lord 
Jesus. 


THE  HOLY  MEN  OF  OLD.  273 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

ON  THE  CONDITION  OF  THE  PATRIARCHS, 
PROPHETS,  AND  "HOLY  MEN  OF  OLD.'' 

1.  In  connection  with  the  subject  of  regeneration, 
is  our  belief  in  the  condition  of  the  Patriarchs,  Pro- 
phets, and  the  "  Holy  men  of  old,"  who  died  trust- 
ing and  believing  in  God,  and  who  slept  or  rested 
in  hope.  See  Matt,  xxvii.  52;  1  Cor.  xv.  20;  1 
Thess.  \v.  14;  Acts  ii.  26.  David  declares,  "My 
flesh  shall  rest  in  hope."     Psal.  xvi.  9. 

2.  We  maintain,  as  a  fundamental  doctrine  of  this 
church,  that,  from  the  day  of  Adam's  fall  from 
Paradise,  up  to  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  on  the 
day  of  Pentecost,  spoken  of  in  Acts  ii.  1,  2,  3,  4, 
"NO  MAN"  whatever^  be  he  Layman,  Prophet, 
Priest,  or  Kin^,  "HATH  ASCENDED  UP  TO 
HEAVEN."  This  is  the  declaration  of  Jesus  him- 
self to  Nicodemus.     John  iii.  13. 

3.  And  "  720  ?7ian"  (of  any  age,  or  generation,  or 
time,  be  he  Layman,  Prophet,  Priest,  or  King),  was 
converted,  or  regenerated,  in  the  i^ Gospel  sense,-^ 
as  declared  by  the  Lord  Jesus  to  Nicodemus  in 
the  third  chapter  of  John,  from  the  third  to  the 
eighth  verse  inclusive,  BECAUSE,  saith  the  Apos- 
tle, John  vii.  39,  "The  HOLY  GHOST  was  NOT 
YET  GIVEN;"  and  because  the  Lord  Jesus  him- 
self assures  us,  that  even  Simon  Peter  was  not  con- 
verted. Jesus  saith  to  Peter,  "  When  thou  ART 
CONVERTED,  strengthen  thy  brethren  ;"  this  was 
before  Peter  denied  his  Saviour,  and  accounts  for 
his  weakness  and  sin.     See  Luke  xxii.  32. 

4.  And  again  Jesus  saith,  "  And  behold  /  send 
the  promise  of  the  father  upon  you,  (the  Holy  Ghost,) 


274  THE  HOLY  MEN  OF  OLD. 

but  tarry  ye  in  the  City  of  Jerusalem  until  ye  he 
endued  with  power  from  on  highy  Luke  xxiv.  49. 
These  texts  must  be  sufficient  for  every  sincere  in- 
quirer after  truth.  But  all  regenerated  men  KNOW 
from  their  OWN  witness  and  EXPERIENCE,  that 
the  sayings  of  Jesus  to  Peter,  Luke  xxii.  32,  and  that 
of  John  vii.  39,  just  quoted,  ARE  TRUE. 

5.  We  will  add,  however,  some  correlative  say- 
ings of  our  Lord,  to  strengthen  our  doctrine.  Jesus 
saith,  "  Among  those  that  are  born  of  women,  there 
is  not  a  greater  prophet  than  John  the  Baptist, 
but  he  that  is  LEAST  in  the  Kingdom  of  God,  is 
GREATER  than  he.''  Luke  vii.  28.  "  The  king- 
dom of  God  Cometh  not  with  observation,  neither 
shall  they  say,  Lo  here!  or  Lo  there,  for  behold  the 
KINGDOM  OF  GOD  IS  i^''  WITHIN  YOU.'^^ 
Luke  xvii.  21.  By  these  sayings,  we  know,  as  a 
church,  that  the  least  of  the  regenerated  children 
of  God  enter  info  the  Kingdom  of  God,  which  is 
''  WITHIN"  THEM,  and  this  is  effected  IN  THIS 
LIFE,  by  the  POWER  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  there, 
in  that  INWARD  kingdom  WITH  JESUS,  they  are 
greater  than  John  the  Baptist,  who,  Jesus  declared, 
was  equal  to  any  prophet  born  of  women. 

6.  By  these  sayings,  we  perceive  the  great  and 
glorious  translating  power  of  the  baptism  of 'Uhe 
Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire."  This,  and  no  other,  can 
convert  or  regenerate  the  soul.  This  places  us 
with  JESUS  our  God,  in  "the  Kingdom  of  God 
within"  us,  and  also  assures  us  of  an  inheritance 
with  him  in  glory  in  the  eternal  mansions  of  his 
*' everlasting  kingdom,"  and  elevates  us  above  the 
greatest  of  the  Patriarchs  or  Prophets. 

7.  They  never  experienced  its  saving  influence 
until  after  the  resurrection  of  JESUS,  who  died  for 
THEM;  for  as  HE  is  our  Resurrection,  and  our 


THE  HOLY  MEN  OF  OLD.  275 

it/e,  SO  he  was  their  resurrection  and  life  also. 
Therefore  it  is  recorded,  Matt,  xxvii.  52,  "And  the 
GRAVES  were  opened,  and  many  BODIES  OF 
THE  SAINTS,  which  SLEPT,  AROSE!  and  came 
out  of  the  graves  after  his  resurrection,  and  appeared 
in  the  holy  city  unto  many;"  therefore  Saint  Paul 
testifies,  "  Now  is  Christ  risen  from  the  dead,  and 
become  the  FIRST  FRUITS  OF  THEM  THAT 
SLEPT."     1  Cor.  xv.  20;  see  1  Thess.  iv.  14. 

8.  And  although  the  holy  men  of  old  spake  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  yet  none  were  converted,  or  horn  again, 
or  went  to  heaven,  because  "JESUS  was  not  yet 
Glorified,"  "  and  the  Holy  Ghost  not  yet  given." 
But  as  the  Apostle  testifies,  Abram  believed  God,  and 
it  was  COUNTED  to  himybr  Righteousness — (Gal. 
iii.  6  ;)  Rom.  iv.  3— or  "IMPUTED  to  him:' 

9.  Therefore  our  glorious  God,  even  JESUS, 
now  establishes,  by  the  power  of  his  Holy  Spirit, 
"the  KINGDOM  OF  GOD"  "WITHIN"  OUR 
SOULS,  as  he  declared — where  there  are  great  joy 
and  rejoicing,  so  that  there  is  not  ^'' room  enough  to 
contain  the  blessing;"  and  we  joy  in  JESUS,  our 
PRESENT  Righteousness,  our  Saviour  and  our 
all,  who  is  the  very  resurrection  to  all  who  are 
"  ADOPTED  by  him  AS  SONS."     Hallelujah ! 

10.  And  although  w^e  believe  and  realize  the 
declaration  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  that  "the  Kingdom 
of  God  is  within'^'  us,  or  with  us,  and  not  without  us, 
yet  we  believe  there  is  also  a  "PLACE"  prepared 
for  us,  after  the  death  of  our  "vile  bodies,"  where 
the  redeemed  souls  of  the  just  made  perfect,  will 
enjoy  the  society  of  each  other  "  in  heavenly  places" 
(Eph.  i.  20)  in  Christ  Jesus,  in  their  "glorious 
bodies."  And  will  worship  JESUS,  "  THE  LORD 
GOD  OF  THK  HOLY  PROPHETS,"  (Rev.  xxii. 
6,  13,  16,)  forever  and  ever! 


276  THE  HOLY  MEN  OF  OLD. 

11.  And  yet  there  will  be  *'N0  TEMPLE 
THEREIN"—''  for  the  Lord  God  Almighty  and  the 
Lamb  are  the  temple  of  it."  Rev.  xxi.  22.  "For 
the  TEMPLE,"  1  Cor.  iii.  17,  and  the  KINGDOM 
will  he  IN  EACH  REDEEMED  SOUL.  Luke 
xvii.  21.  For  Jesus  and  the  Father  have  made 
their  ''  ABODE"  IN  THE  SOUL.  John  xiv.  23. 
And  this  UNION  of  Jesus  with  the  soul,  IS  THE 
"WEDDING  GARMENT,"  Matt.  xxii.  10,  12, 
13,  which  is  "THE  LORD  OUR  RIGHTEOUS- 
NESS," (or,  as  in  the  original,)  "JEHOVAH  our 
Righteousness."  Jer.  xxxiii.  16.  And  he  is  called, 
in  the  Revelation,  "The  Righteousness  of  Saints.^^ 
Rev.  xix.  8.  See  Matt.  xxii.  10,  11,  12,  13  ;  Isa. 
Lxi.  10;  Rev.  xvi.  5. 

12.  And,  therefore,  we  believe  that,  if  it  WERE 
POSSIBLE  for  an  unregenerated  soul  to  gain  AD- 
MITTANCE to  this  HIGH  AND  HOLY  ABODE 
of  the  REDEEMED  souls,  WITHOUT  this  divine 
union  or  wedding  garment  of  righteousness  through 
THE  NEW  BIRTH— we  believe,  without  such  a 
preparation  AND  UNION,  the  unregenerated  souls 
would  find  the  TRIUMPHANT  JOYS  of  the  re- 
deemed m  Heaven,  no  source  of  consolation  to  them- 
selves ;  but  that,  as  when  on  earthy  they  would  FLEE 
from  the  POWER  of  God,  and  the  divine  presence ^ 
as  from  a  FIRE  which  would  consume  them. 

13.  They  would  seek  an  asylum  amongst  conge- 
nial spirits  in  the  regions  o/* "  outer  darkness^^^  where 
ALL  SUCH  as  have  not  on  this  (Jcf^DIVINE  WED- 
DING GARMENT,  AND  UNION  WITH  JE- 
SUS,c#D  will  be  cast.     Malt.  xxii.  12,  13. 


ON  ETERNAL  SALVATION.  277 

CHAPTER  IX. 

ON  THE   ASSURANCE   OF   ETERNAL  SAL- 
VATION DURING  THIS  LIFE. 

1.  We  believe  that  those  who  are  "Born  of 
God,"  or  Regenerated  by  the  Baptism  of  the  "  Holy 
Ghost  and  with  fire," — whom  the  Lord  Jesus  deno- 
minates his  SHEEP, — we  believe  such  HAVE  A 
FULL  ASSURANCE  of  Eternal  Life:  because  HE 
declares,  "  My  sheep  hear  my  voice,  and  /  know 
them  and  ihey  follow  me,  and  i  give  unto  them 
ETERNAL  LIFE,  and  THEY  SHALL  NEVER  PE- 
RISH." John  X.  27,  28.  And  Saint  John  testifies, 
"  Whosoever  is  born  of  God,  DOTH  NOT  COM- 
MIT SIN.  For  HIS  SEED  remaineth  in  him,  and 
(j^t^HE  CANNOT  SIN,^)  because  he  IS  BORN 
OF  GOD,"  1  John  iii.  9. 

2.  This  is  the  faith  of  this  church,  for  we  believe 
with  the  Apostle,  that  the  "  SEED"  "  OF  GOD" 
will  forever  protect  the  Regenerated  sow\  from  spi- 
ritual death,  or  from  committing  any  sin  which  is 
UNTO  DEATH.  "  For,"  says  he,  "  if  any  man  see  his 
brother  sin  a  sin  which  is  not  unto  death,  he  shall 
ask  and  HE  shall  give  hira  life;  for  them  which  sin 
not  unto  death,'*''  1  John  v.  16.  And  in  another 
place  he  declares,  "  If  w^e  say  we  have  no  sin,  we 
deceive  ourselves,  and  the  truth  is  not  in  us,"  1 
John  i.  8. 

3.  This  is  illustrated  by  the  Apostle  Paul's  tes- 
timony. He  says,  "  I  delight  in  the  law  of  God, 
after  the  INWARD  MAN ;  but  I  see  ANOTHER 
LAW  in  my  members  WARRING  against  the  law 
of  my  mind,  and  bringing  me  into  captivity,  to  the 
law   of  sin   which   IS  IN   MY  MEMBERS.     O 


278  ON  PREDESTINATION. 

wretched  man  that  I  am !  Who  shall  deliver  me 
from  the  body  of  this  death'^  I  thank  God,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  So  then,  with  THE  MIND, 
I  myself  serve  the  LAW  OF  GOD,"  Rom.  vii.  22, 
23,  24,  25.  This  is  plai72  doctrine,  and  teaches  us 
that  so  long  as  we  are  in  the  world,  we  have  sin  in 
our  members,  and  have  to  WAR  against  the  sins  of 
''  the  WORLD,  the  FLESH,  and  the  DEVIL." 
But  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  DIVINE  SEED, 
gives  us  a  continual  victory  through  the  power  of  his 
Spirit ;  by  which,  as  he  says,  we  "  SHALL  NEVER 
PERISH."  And  whereby,  says  the  Apostle,  "ye 
are  sealed  until  the  day  of"*  (final)  redemption,  Eph. 
iv.  30.  And  also  declares  in  the  following  heart- 
cheering  language  to  the  regenerated  soul,  Rom. 
viii.  38,  39:  "For  I  am  persuaded  (saith  he) 
that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  princi- 
palities, nor  powers,  nor  things  present,  nor  things 
to  come,  nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor  any  other  crea- 
ture, shall  he  able  to  SEPARATE  US/rom  the  Love 
of  God,  which  is  in  CHRIST  JESUS  our  Lord." 
Amen.  Hallelujah!  The  Apostle,  in  this  text, 
positively  declares  that  nothing  whatever,  in  time  or 
in  eternity,  "shall  be  able  to  separate  US"  (which 
are  born  of  God),  "from  the  LOVE  of  God  which 
is  IN  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord."  Glory  to  Jesus  in 
the  highest,  for  his  unspeakable  gift! 


CHAPTER  X. 

ON  PREDESTINATION. 

We  believe  that  Jesus  foreknows,  John  xvi.  30, 
31,  and  has  foreordained  all  things.  He  saith  the 
very  "hairs  of  your  head  are  all  numbered,"  and  a 


ON  PREDESTINATION.  279 

sparrow  '*  shall  not  (even)  fall  to  the  ground"  with- 
out his  permission,  see  Matt.  x.  29,  30.  For  all 
things  CONSIST,  or  are  held  together^  by  the  imme- 
diate presence  of  Jesus  the  Son  of  God,  see  Col.  i. 
13—17.  For  ^'  all  things,"  saith  the  Apostle,  "  are 
naked  and  opened  unto  the  eyes  of  him  with  whom 
we  have  to  do,"  Heb.  iv.  13;  Prov.  xv.  11;  John 
xxi.  17;  Acts  i.  24. 

2.  Therefore,  in  relation  to  the  foreknowledge 
which  God  has  of  his  regenerated  children^  we  say 
with  the  Apostle,  "For  w^hom  he  did  foreknow^  he 
also  did  predestinate^ — Moreover,  whom  he  did  pre- 
destinate^ them  he  also  called^  and  whom  he  called, 
them  he  also  justified^  and  whom  he  justified  them 
he  also  glorified.  If  GOD  he  for  us,  who  can  be 
against  usV  Rom.  viii.  29,  30,  31;  and  he  con- 
tinues: ^'Who  shall  lay  ANYTHING  to  the 
CHARGE  of  GOD'S  ELECT.  It  is  God  that 
Justifieth,"  verse  33. 

3.  Therefore  we  say-,  as  a  church,  that  all  things 
shall  in  the  end  glorify  God.  For  as  he  foreknew^ 
and  predestinated  Jeremiah  to  he  "a  prophet  unto 
the  nations  before  he  was  formed  or  born,"  Jer.  i. 
5,  so  he  declares  of  Pharaoh,  Exodus  ix.  16; 
Rom.  ix.  17.  "  And  in  very  deed^  for  this  cause 
have  I  raised  thee  up.,  for  to  show  IN  THEE  MY 
POWER,  and  that  MY  NAME  may  be  declared 
throughout  the  earth."  It  is  written  in  Proverbs, 
xvi.  4,  "  The  Lord  has  made  all  things  for  himself; 
yea,  even  the  wicked  ybr  the  day  of  evil;"  see 
Rom.  ix.  22. 

4.  We  believe  God  hardened  the  heart  of  Pha- 
raoh, by  withholding  his  spirit  from  him^  Gen.  vi. 
3.  And  therefore  the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son 
have  determined,  through  the  support  and  mercy  of 
*'the  Blessed  God''^  who  died  for  us,  to  glorify  him 


280  ON  PREDESTINATION. 

in  all  things  ;  because  he  knoweth  all  things,  and 
always  PREDETERMINES  the  MEANS  of  a  sin- 
ner'^s  salvation,  whether  by  human  instrumentality  or 
immediately  through  the  Holy  Spirit,  or  by  physical 
affliction  and  judgment. 

He  eternally  determined  to  become  man  and  suffer 
and  die,  and  atone  for  our  sins,  on  the  cross ;  see 
Ephes.  iii.  11.  So  he  also  determined  KOW  ev^ery 
one  of  his  elect  is  to  be  converted  and  born  again. 

5.  We  are  fully  persuaded  that,  when  a  man  has 
had  the  gospel  preached  to  him,  and  the  rich  and 
glorious  offers  of  divine  mercy  have  been  extended 
to  him  "  without  money  and  without  price,"  and  he 
still  obstinately  refuses  to  humble  himself  before 
Jesus,  his  Maker  and  "  King,"  and  refuses  the 
HOLIEST  GIFT  that  God  can  bestow,  EVEN  THE 
HOLY  GHOST,  which  IS  HIMSELF,  and  which 
is  promised  unto  those  who  will  ASK  FOR  HIM — 
we  say  such  deserve  the  awful  retribution  of  God, 
by  being  left  to  themselves,  Gen.  vi.  3,  and  their 
eternal  condemnation  ;  and,  like  Pharaoh,  will  have 
to  glorify  God,  as  he  in  his  wisdom  may  dictate. 
Therefore,  when  we  say,  as  in  Article  14  of  Articles 
of  Faith,  that  "JESUS,"  "THE  TRUE  GOD," 
hdi^  foreordained  all  things,  we  mean  so  distinctly. 
As  Jesus  "  knoweth  all  things,''^  and  as  the  past,  the 
present,  and  the  future  are  to  him  ONE  ETERNAL 
NOW,  (see  Heb.  iv.  13,)  and  as  he  upholds  all 
things,^^  andnot  a  sparrow  falleth  to  the  ground  with- 
out his  knowledge  and  permission,  so,  in  relation 
to  his  creature  man,  he  has  predestined  all  things 
which  appertain,  or  belong  to  his  happiness  or 
misery;  he  foreordained  that  angels  and  men  should 
have  FREE  WILL.  If  it  were  not  so,  Satan  could 
not  have  fallen  "  from  heaven,"  as  Jesus  declares, 
Luke  X.  18;  neither  could  Adam  have  partaken  of 


ON  PREDESTINATION.  281 

the  forbidden  fruit,  yet  God  would  not  be  Omni- 
scient, if  he  did  not  perfectly  FOREKNOW  all  the 
ACTIONS  of  men  through  that  FREE  WILL,  for 
he  foreknew  perfectly  that  Adam  would  *'  choose"^"* 
the  *'  evil,"  and  become  a  fallen  creature.  Accord- 
ingly, the  Apostle  Peter  declares  that  it  was  "  FORE- 
ORDAINED before  the  foundation  of  the  world,^^  (or 
before  the  creation  of  Man,)  that  we  should  be 
SAVED  "  with  the  precious  BLOOD  OF  CHRIST." 
See  1  Peter  i.  19  and  20.  This  provision  to  save 
mankind  with  *' the  precious  blood  of  Christ,"  6e- 
fore  man  was  created,  is  a  sure  evidence  of  the  cer- 
tain foreknowledge  of  God  that  man  would  choose 
the  evil. 

6.  So  it  hath  been  also  foreordained,  that  ALL 
who,  through  FREE  WILL,  do  not  accept  the  offers 
of  mercy  through  the  precious  blood  of  Christ, 
SHALL  BE  DAMNED,  as  Jesus  himself  declares; 
see  Mark  xvi.  16.  And  such  will  receive  the  just 
sentence  of  Jesus,  when  "  he  shall  sit  upon  the 
throne  of  HIS  glory"-—*'  Depart  from  me,  ye  cursed, 
into  everlasting  fire,  prepared  for  the  devil  and  his 
angels."  Observe,  this  fire  is  not  preparedyb?'  man, 
but  for  the  devil  and  his  angels.  Into  this  fire  every 
sinner  plunges  himself  by  his  perverse  will  and 
enmity  against  God,  and  this  is  the  end  that  God 
h^s foreordained  for  the  wicked.  Yet,  "As  I  live, 
saith  the  Lord,  I  have  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of 
the  wicked,  but  that  the  wicked  turn  from  his  way 
and  live;''''  (see  Ezekiel  xxxiii.  11.)  This  the  Lord 
himself  establishes.  He  says,  "  0  Jerusalem,  Jeru- 
salem, thou  that  killest  the  prophets,  and  stonest 
them  which  are  sent  unto  thee,  how  often  would  I 
have  gathered  thy  children  together,  even  as  a  hen 
gathereth  her  chickens  under  her  wings,  and  ye 
WOULD  NOT."  Matt,  xxiii.  27. 
21* 


282  ON  THE  DIVINE  LAW. 


CHAPTER  XL 

ON  THE   DIVINE  LAW  GIVEN  TO  MOSES 
AND  THE  NEW  COVENANT. 

The  Divine  law  is  summed  up  in  the  Decalogue, 
or  Ten  Commandments  (as  they  are  called),  given 
to  Moses  on  the  Mount,  and  recorded  in  Exodus 
XX.  3-17.  They  are  introduced  as  follows:  "And 
God  spake  all  these  words,  saying,  I  am  the  Lord 
thy  God,  which  have  brought  thee  out  of  the  land 
of  Egypt,  out  of  the  house  of  bondage."  And  then 
begins  the  first  commandment,  as  adopted  by  the 
Protestant  Churches,  as  follows: 

I.  Thou  shalt  have  no  other  Gods  before  me. 

II.  Thou  shalt  not  make  unto  thee  any  graven 
image,  or  any  likeness  of  any  thing  that  is  in  Heaven 
above,  or  that  is  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  that  is  in 
the  water  under  the  earth:  Thou  shalt  not  BOW 
DOWN  THYSELF  to  them  nor  SERVE  THEM: 
for  I,  the  Lord  thy  God,  am  di  jealous  God,  visiting 
the  iniquity  of  the  Fathers  upon  the  Children,  unto 
the  third  and  fourth  generation  oi  them  ihdit  hate  me, 
and  showing  mercy  unto  thousands  of  them  that  love 
me,  and  keep  my  Commandments. 

HI.  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord 
thy  God  in  vain:  For  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him 
guiltless,  that  taketh  his  name  in  vain. 

IV.  Remember  the  Sabbath-day  to  keep  it  holy. 
Six  days  shalt  thou  labor,  and  do  all  thy  work:  But 
the  seventh  day  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy  God; 
in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any  work^  thou,  nor  thy  son, 
nor  thy  daughter,  nor  thy  man-servant,  nor  thy 
maid-servant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that  is 


ON  THE  DIVINE  LAW.  283 

within  thy  gates ;  for  in  six  days  the  Lord  made 
heaven  and  earth,  the  sea,  and  all  that  in  them  is, 
and  rested  the  seventh  day:  wherefore  the  Lord 
blessed  the  Sabbath-day,  and  hallowed  it. 

V.  Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy 
days  may  be  long  upon  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy 
God  giveth  thee. 

Vr.  Thou  shalt  not  kill. 

VIL  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery. 

VIII.  Thou  shalt  not  steal. 

IX.  Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy 
neighbor. 

X.  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbor's  house, 
thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbor's  wife,  nor  his 
man-servant,  nor  his  maid-servant,  nor  his  ox,  nor 
his  ass,  nor  anything  that  is  thy  neighbor's. 

3.  We,  the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son,  adopt  them 
as  they  were  given  to  Moses  on  the  Mount,  except 
those  parts  or  clauses  which  have  been  canceled  by 
the  Lord  Jesus  himself  in  the  Gospels.  The  first 
part  of  the  Second  Commandment  we  maintain  as  it 
was  given,  which  is,  that  we  are  not  to  WORSHIP 
any  of  the  works  of  Creation^  in  heaven  or  in  earth  ; 
nor  to  WORSHIP  any  thing  MADE  WITH  HU^ 
MAN  HANDS  in  the  resemblance  of  God,  or  in  the 
resemblance  of  any  other  thing. 

3.  But  the  last  part  of  this  commandment  has 
been  abolished,  beginning  at  the  word  visiting. 
The  children  are  not  now  visited  or  punished  for 
the  parents'  sins.  But  every  man  who  doeth  evil 
*' shall  die  for  his  own  iniquity,''^  '*saith  the  Lord.'* 
See  Jeremiah  xxxi.  29  to  34.  The  prophet  speaks 
in  this  glorious  strain:  *'  But  this  shall  be  the  cove* 
nant  that  I  will  make  with  the  house  of  Israel  after 
those  days,  saith  the  Lord:  I  will  put  my  LAW  in 
their  INWARD  PARTS,  and  write  it  IN  THEIR 


284  ON  THE  DIVINE  LAW. 

HEARTS,  and  will  be  their  God,  and  they  shall  be 
my  people;"  verse  33;  see  John  ix.  3. 

4.  The  commandment  called  the  fourth  has  also 
been  modified.  We  are  now  permitted  to  '^do  good 
on  the  Sabbath  days,"  saith  Jesus.  The  impotent 
man  was  healed  by  Him,  and  commanded  to  carry 
his  bed  on  the  Sabbath  day.  John  v.  8.  Even 
Orthodox  professors  of  religion  in  all  churches,  now 
indirectly  concede  this  point,  and  do  acts  on  the 
Sabbath  days  for  which  they  would  have  been  stoned 
under  the  old  Mosaical  law.  (See  Numbers  xv. 
32-36.) 

5.  Our  Lord  and  his  disciples  "  plucked  the  earsof 
corn,  and  did  eat"  thereof  on  the  Sabbath  day,  which 
the  Jews  said  was  "  not  lawful.^^  Our  Lord  justified 
the  act  by  a  parallel  case,  (wherein  David  did  eat  the 
shew-bread  ;)  and  declared  it  lawful  to  "  do  good^^ 
on  the  Sabbath  days,  and  immediately  healed  the 
"withered  hand!"  See  Luke  vi.  1,  10.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son  keep  the  day 
called  Sunday  as  the  Sabbath,  because  it  is  good 
and  profitable  so  to  do,  both  spiritually  and  tem- 
porally. They  do  no  kind  of  temporal  work  on 
that  day.  But  they  always  place  THE  LORD,  and 
his  "NEW  COVENANT  and  commandments," 
above  the  Sabbath^  which,  they  believe,  "  was  made 
(as  Jesus  saith),  FOR  MAN,  and  not  man  for  the 
Sabbath,''  Mark  ii.  27. 

6.  Our  Lord  declares  (see  Mark  xii.  29,  30,  31, 
32),  the  following  to  be  the  FIRST  and  SECOND 
commandments.  (They  are  to  be  found  in  Deuteron- 
omy vi.  4,  5,  and  in  Leviticus  xix.  18,  as  follows:) 
*' Hear,  O  Israel!  the  Lord  our  God  is  One  Lord! 
And  thou  shalt  LOVE  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all 
thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy 
mind,  and  with  all  thy  strength.     This  is  the  FIRST 


ON  THE  WRATH  OF  GOD.  285 

COMMANDMENT.  And  the  SECOND  is  like, 
namely  this.  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thy- 
self. There  is  7io7ie  other  comraandrnent  GREATER 
THAN  THESE:"  {^rt^they  are  not  in  the  common 
decalogues  of  the  churches. — [JYote.  The  word 
neighbor  does  not  mean  a  person  living  nigh  unto 
us,  but  it  means  one  who  loves  us,  and  is  merciful 
unto  us.  The  word  is  defined  by  our  Lord  in  the 
parable  of  the  good  Samaritan,  Luke  x.  27  to  37.] 
7.  The  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son  adopt  the  fore- 
going commandments,  recorded  in  Mark's  Gospel, 
as  the  FIRST  and  SECOND  of  the  commandments, 
because  JESUS  our  God  declared  them  TO  BE 
the  first  and  second  commandments.  And  we  obey 
HIM,  our  "  Lord  and  our  God,"  supremely. 


CHAPTER  XII. 
ON  THE  WRATH  OF  GOD. 

1.  The  Apostle  Paul,  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Ephe- 
sians,  brings  in  the  subject  of  the  Wrath  of  God, 
in  the  following  manner: — "  And  ^/owhath  he  quick- 
ened, who  were  DEAD  in  trespasses  and  sins; 
wherein,  in  times  past,  ye  walked  according  to  the 
course  of  this  world  ;  according  to  the  Prince  of 
the  power  of  the  air,  the  spirit  that  noxu  worketh  in 
the  children  of  disobedience  :  among  whom  also 
WE  ALL  had  our  conversation  in  times  past,  in 
the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  fulfilling  the  desires  of  the 
flesh,  and  o^  the  mind;  and  were  BY  NATURE 
THE  CHILDREN  OF  WRATH,  EVEN  AS 
OTHERS."    Eph.  ii.  1,  2,  3. 

2.  This  is  a  clear  exposition  of  "  the  Wrath  of 
God ;"    and   it  shows   us   that     '  the   children  af 


286  ON  THE  WRATH  OF  GOD. 

"Wrath"  are  under  the  dominion  of  their  own  fallen 
nature.  And  we,  therefore,  maintain,  as  a  Church, 
that  when  the  displeasure^  the  anger,  or  the  wrath 
of  God  is  manifested  towards  a  man,  he  is  delivered 
over  to  the  ''  OFFICER,"  and  he  is  "  CAST 
INTO  PRISON,"  and  is  subjected  to  the  "  hnffetings 
oj"  Satan"*^  through  the  fallen  nature.  And  Jesus  de- 
clares, *' Verily  1  say  unto  thee,  thou  shalt  BY  NO 
MEANS  come  out  thence,  till  thou  hast  paid  the 
uttermost  farthing.'*'*  Matt.  v.  25,26.  And  if  the 
person  does  not  repent,  the  Lord  withdraws  his  spirit 
entirely  from  him,  and  he  is  left  "  desolate.'*'' 

3.  It  is  recorded.  Genesis  vi.  3,  '*  And  the  Lord 
said.  My  spirit  will  not  always  strive  with  man." 
And  in  Jeremiah,  eleventh  chapter,  eleventh  verse, 
it  is  written,  ''  Thus  saith  the  Lord" — "  though 
they  CRY  unto  me,  I  WILL  NOT  HEARKEN." 

And  Jesus  declares,  "  O  Jerusalem  !  Jerusalem  ! 
thou  that  killest  the  prophets,  and  stonest  them  that 
are  sent  unto  thee,  how  often  would  I  have  gathered 
thy  children  together,  even  as  a  hen  ^athereth  her 
chickens  under  her  wings,  but  YE  WOULD  NOT: 
Behold  !  YOUR  HOUSE  IS  LEFT  UNTO  YOU 
DESOLATE."     Matt,  xxiii.  37,  38. 

4.  And  desolate,  indeed,  must  the  soul  of  that 
man  be  when  the  Holy  Spirit  ceases  to  strive  with 
him.  Such  as  these  are  first  (as  before  observed), 
"  delivered  unto  Satan,"  i  Cor.  v.  5,  to  be  buffeted 
and  to  be  sifted  ;  see  Luke  xxii.  31  ;  and  if  they 
do  not  relent,  they  finally  become  "  vessels  of  wrath 
fitted  to  destruction."  Rom.  ix.  22.  And  it  is 
declared,  "  the  wrath  of  God  abideth  on"  them. 
See  John  iii.  36.  And  they  are  delivered  over  to 
"  the  curse."  Isa.  xdii.  27,  28,  Malachi  ii.  2,  Matt. 
XXV.  41. 

5.  It  is  manifest,  and  self-evident,  that  *' Jesus," 


ON  THE  WRATH  OF  GOD.  287 

"  the  Almighty,"  is  omnipresent^  that  is,  everywhere: 
and  therefore,  if  he  was  to  move  himself  to  wrath 
in  his  Divine  and  glorious  "  Image.,'*'*  (WHIC.H  IS 
THE  CENTRE  OF  HIS  OMNIPRESENCE,)  he 
would  be  moved  to  wrath  EVERYWHERE:— 
Because  he  is  everywhere^  and  '•'-Jilleth  all  things^^ 
to  fullness.  See  Psal.  cxxxix.  7,  10.  His  glo- 
rious Presence  and  Light  fill  all  immensity,  and  there 
is  no  place  or  space  w^here  he  is  not. 

6.  And  thus  ^'  THE  TRUE  LIGHT,"  saith  the 
Apostle,  "  shineth  in  the  darkness^  BUT  THE 
DARKNESS  COMPREHENDETH  IT  NOT," 
John  i.  5,  9.  That  is,  Jesus  is  equally  present  with 
the  devils  in  hell  and  the  angels  in  heaven;  but 
the  devils,  and  the  wicked  in  this  world,  "  com- 
prehend him  not:'*'' — that  is,  they  cannot  conceive 
of,  or  apprehend  "The  true  light,"  EVEN 
JESUS.  And,  therefore,  when  a  sinner  is  cursed^ 
he  ceases  to  "comprehend"  or  apprehend  the 
Light;  and  is  left  to  the  torment  of  the  "  WORM 
which  dieth  not,  and  to  the  FIRE  that  is  not 
quenched,'*''  Mark  ix.  43,  48,  "and  the  wrath  of 
God  ABIDETH  on  him:"  John  iii.  36.  We, 
therefore,  reject  all  those  doctrines  which  wrest  the 
Scriptures,  by  averring  that  there  is  anger,  also 
wrath  IN  the  pure  and  "  Holy  One  of  Lsrael." 

7.  We  believe  implicitly  in  the  ATONING 
"BLOOD  OF  JESUS,"  "even  the  Blood  of  his 
Cross  ;"  and  that  we  were  "  purchased"  and 
"bought  with  a  price;" — but  we  do  not  believe 
that  Jesus  "  satisfied  the  divine  justice"  of  a  God  or 
a  Father  separate  or  distinct  from,  himself 

8.  We  believe  that  the  SON,  the  "  second  per  son^"^ 
in  the  Holy  Trinity — who  is  the  only  living  and 
"  TRUE  GOD,"  seen,  known,  apprehended,  or 
worshiped  by  angels  or  redeemed  souls  of  men — 
we  believe  that  HE,  the  "  I  AM,"  John  viii.  58, 


288  OF  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 

according  to  his  OWN  *'  Eternal  Purpose,'^  be- 
came a  true  man^  or  '■'- was  made  fiesh^'^'*  and  suf- 
fered, bled  and  died  FOR  US,  or  his  children^  on 
the  Cross;  and  thus  satisfied  his  OWN  Divine  JUS- 
TICE '^BY  HIMSELF,"  Heb.  i.  3.  And  thus 
*'  God,"  John  i.  1,  14,  "  by  himself,''  MEDIATED 
between  us  and  his  JUSTICE  in  awarding  the 
PENALTY  of  eternal  DEATH,  and  ''  the 
WRATH,"  and  *'lhe  CURSE,"  unto  Adam  and 
his  posterity  for  their  wilful  transgression. 

9.  And  this  ^'  God"  is  Jesus  "  the  First  and  the 
Last,"  by  whom  all  things  unexceptionally  were 
made,  and  to  whom  all  things  are  subject;  and  to 
whom  all  things  belong ;  and  of  whom  "  ALL 
THINGS  CONSIST,"  Col.  i.  13,  16,  17,  or  are 
held  together. 

And  hence  David  declares,  *'  O  Lord  !  if  I 
ascend  up  into  heaven,  THOU  ART  THERE.  If 
I  make  my  BED  IN  HELL,  behold!  Thou  artthere.'^ 
Psal.  cxxxix.  8.  So  that  Jesus  IS  everywhere,  and 
the  Father  is  ONE  in  him  and  with  him  eternally 
EVERYWHERE. 

And  where  JESUS  is,  there  is  LOVE.  And 
where  he  is  not  ''  comprehended''  or  manifested, 
there  is  ABIDING  WRATH.  May  the  Lord  help 
all  Unitarians,  or  Socinians,  Arians,  and  Universa- 
lists,  "  to  flee  from  the  Wrath  to  come."  Matt.  iii. 
7;  Rev.  yi.  17. 


CHAPTER  XHI. 

OF  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES,  THE  OLD 
AND   NEW  TESTAMENTS. 

We  believe  the  Holy  Scriptures,  called  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments,  were  given  by  inspiration  of 


OF  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES.  289 

God,  2  Tim.  iii.  16;  2  Pet.  i.  21;  John  x.  35; 
for,  saith  St.  Peter,  2  Peter  i.  21,  ^'•Prophecy  came 
not  in  old  time  by  the  will  of  man  :  But  holy  men 
of  God  spake  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy 
Ghosty  We  acknowledge  the  following  books  as 
of  sacred  origin. 

2.  In  the  Old  Testament,  the  Books  are,  Genesis, 
Exodus,  Leviticus,  Numbers,  Deuteronomy,  Joshua, 
Judges,  Ruth,  1st  Samuel,  2d  Samuel,  1st  Kings,  2d 
Kings,  1st  Chronicles,  2d  Chronicles,  Ezra,  Nehe- 
miah,  Esther,  Job,  Psalms,  Proverbs,  Ecclesiastes, 
Song  of  Solomon,  Isaiah,  Jeremiah,  Lamentations, 
Ezekiel,  Daniel,  Hosea,  Joel,  Amos,  Obadiah,  Jo- 
nah, Micah,  Nahum,  Habakkuk,  Zephaniah,  Hag- 
gai,Zechariah,  Malachi — 39  Books. 

In  the  New  Testament,  are  the  following  Books. 
The  Gospels  according  to  St.  Matthew,  St.  Mark, 
St.  Luke,  and  St.  John.  The  Acts  of  the  Apostles, 
and  the  following  Epistles  : — The  Epistle  of  St.  Paul 
to  the  Romans,  1  Corinth.,  2  Corinthians,  Galatians, 
Ephesians,  Philippians,  Colossians,  1  Thessalonians, 
2  Thessalonians,  1  Timothy,  2  Timothy,  Titus,  Phi- 
lemon, to  the  Hebrew\s;  Epistles  of  James,  of  1 
Peter,  and  2  Peter,  of  1  John,  2  John,  and  3  John,  of 
Jude,  and  the  Revelation  of  St.  John — 27  Books. 

3.  Our  Blessed  Lord  declares.  "All  things  must 
be  fulfilled^  which  were  written  in  the  Law  of 
Moses,  and  in  the  Prophets  and  in  the  Psalms,  con- 
cerning me,"  Luke  xxiv.  44.  This  he  accomplished 
"  by  himself."  He  blotted  out  "  the  hand-writing  of 
ORDINANCES,  which  were  AGAINST  US,  which 
was  CONTRARY  to  us,  and  took  it  out  of  the 
WAY,  NAILING  IT  TO  HIS  CROSS."  Colos.  ii. 
14.  This  church,  therefore,  cannot  NOW  acknow- 
ledge any  ORDINi\NCE.  Its  work  is  a  spiritual 
work,  and  not  ceremonial. 


290  OF  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 

4.  Our  Lord  declares,  **  the  Scripture  cannot  he 
broken^'*''  John  x.  35,  evidently  meaning,  hy  those 
*'  under  the  Law^^^  because  he  has  *'  blotted  out" 
many  parts  of  them,  substituting  in  the  place 
thereof  his  "  NEW  COMMANDMENTS,"  in  the 
gospel  dispensation.     Our    Lord  himself  has  con- 

fir7ned  most  of  the  remarkable  and  wonderful  events 
recorded  in  the  Old  Testament,  by  his  own  imme- 
diate sayins^s  whilst  dwelling  amongst  us  in  the  flesh, 
and  therefore  to  those  who  BELIEVE  IN  HIM  and 
HIS  SAYINGS,  the  scriptures  are  TRUE,  and  an 
OPEN  BOOK,  containing  no  prophecies  which  are 
not  ''fulfilled''  or  (jt^CONSUxMMATED^  in  him- 
self "For  Christ  is  the  END  of  the  Law  for  right- 
eousness^ to  every  one  that  believeth.''    Rom.  x.  4. 

5.  Our  Lord  confirms,  by  his  sayings,  the  follow- 
ing events  : — He  speaks  of  the  death  of  Abel,  Matt, 
xxiii.  35,  Luke  xi.  51  ;  of  Noah,  the  Ark  and  the 
Flood,  Matt.  xxiv.  37,  38,  39,  Luke  xvii.  27  ;  of 
Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  Matt.  xi.  23,  24,  Mark  vi. 
11,  Luke  xvii.  29  ;  Lot,  Lot's  wife,  Luke  xvii.  28, 
31,  32.  Our  Lord  confirms  the  Books  of  Moses, 
Luke  xvi.  31,  John  v.  46,  47.  He  speaks  of  the 
burning  bush,  Mark  xii.  26,  out  of  which  HE 
commanded  Moses  to  go  unto  Pharaoh,  and  as  a 
sign,  converted  the  rod  (which  he  commanded 
Moses  to  cast  on  the  ground),  into  a  serpent.  With 
this  he  performed  the  wonders  in  Egypt,  and  di- 
vided the  Red  Sea. 

6.  He  speaks  of  the  serpent  in  the  wilderness, 
John  iii.  14;  of  the  manna,  John  vi.  31,  32,  49; 
he  is  questioned  of  Elias  calling  down  fire  from 
heaven,  Luke  ix.  54;  he  speaks  of  the  Prophet 
Jonas  in  the  whale's  belly,  Matt.  xii.  40,  41,  Luke 
xi.  29,  32  ;  and  declares  ''  before  Abraham  was,  I 
AM,"  which  is  the  same  holy  title  which  he  gave 


OF  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES.  291 

himself  out  of  the  hurning  bush  to  Moses  :  hence 
those  u'ho  believe  in  Jesus ^  know  the  Scriptures  and 
its  wonders  to  be  true.  Our  Lord  and  his  Apostles 
quote  the  books  of  the  Old  Testament  frequently. 
Our  Lord  directly  refers  or  speaks  of  the  Psalms, 
Luke  xxiv.  44  ;  of  Isaiah,  Matt.  xiii.  14,  Mark  vii. 
6,  Luke  iii.  4  ;  of  Daniel,  Matt.  xxiv.  15,  Mark 
xiii.  14  ;  of  Jonah,  Matt.  xii.  39,  40,  Luke  xi.  29; 
and  of  Zechariah,  Matt,  xxiii.  35,  Luke  xi.  5L 

7.  This  last  prophet  is  sublime,  and  glorifies  his 
Redeemer.  Speakinor  of  the  gospel  day,  he  declares, 
"  The  LORD  is  MY  GOD  !"  Zech.  xiii.  9,  (and 
continues,)  "and  it  shall  be  IN  THAT  DAY  that 
LIVING  WATERS  shall  go  out  from  Jerusalem— 
and  THE  LORD  shall  be  KING  OVER  ALL  THE 
EARTH,  and  in  that  day  there  SHALL  BE  ONE 
LORD,  and  HIS  NAME  ONE,"  Zech.  xiv.  8,  9 
(which  name  is  JESUS).  Hallelujah  !  See  Philip- 
pians  ii.  10. 

8.  We  believe  the  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testaments,  are  the  only  true  guide  to  Jesus,  the 
Author  and  finisher  of  man's  redemption,  and  that 
without  a  free  and  unshackled  access  to  the  written 
records  contained  therein,  we  should,  long  since, 
have  been  under  the  absolute  control  of  the  TRA- 
DITIONS of  ROMANISM,  or,  perhaps,  idolatrous 
Pagans.  And  we  are  daily  thankful  unto  the  Lord, 
that  he  has  preserved  them  in  the  purity  they  are 
now  presented  to  us. 

The  division  of  the  Books  into  Chapters,  and 
into  verses,  is  a  great  convenience — yet  the  true 
sense  of  the  original  is  often  lost  by  a  wrong  divi- 
sion of  a  verse,  and  particularly  by  incorrect  punc- 
tuation. 

We  will  here  give  an  instance  of  the  obscurity 
which  is  thus  thrown  over  a  plain  and  beautiful  pas- 
sage in  St.  Paul's  letter  to  Timothy.    St.  Paul,  in  this 


292  OF  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 

epistle,  gives  a  '^  coinmandment,"  and  minute  in- 
struction to  Timothy,  relative  to  his  duties  as  a  minis- 
ter, over  the  Church  of  Christ.  He,  therefore,  closes 
his  Epistle  in  this  way:  "  I  give  thee  charge  in  the 
sight  of  God,  who  quickeneth  all  things," — '*  that 
thou  KEEP  THIS  COMMANDMENT  without  spot, 
unrebukable,  until  the  appearing  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ:  (WHICH,  in  A?5 /«me5,  he  will  shew.)— Who 
is  the  Blessed  and  only  Potentate,  the  King  of  Kings, 
and  Lord  of  Lords."  1  Tim.  vi.  13,  14,  15.  This 
is  the  true  punctuation  of  the  passage.  But  it  is 
now  erroneously  divided  at  the  word  Christ,  and 
made  to  read  as  though  Christ  would,  at  his  ap- 
pearing,  "  shew  who  is"*^  the  ONLY  Potentate. 
Whereas  the  true  meaning  is,  that  Christ  would 
then  "SHEW"  whether  "  this  CoynmandmenV  given 
to  Timothy  and  the  Church,  was  kept  "  unrehuk- 
able'*''  or  not.  By  omitting  the  parenthesis,  the  pass- 
age is  very  beautiful.  It  appears  that  the  learned 
men  who  made  the  division  could  not  believe  that 
"Jesus  Christ""  is  the  ONLY  POTENTATE,"  al- 
though St.  Paul  repeatedly  calls  JesusChrist  "  GOD" 
as  a  SON;  see  Heb.  i.  8,  where  thje  apostle  thus 
writes — "Unto  the  SON  he  sailh,  Thy  throne,  0 
GOD,  is  forever  and  ever."  Again,  "  Christ  is  over 
all,  GOD,  blessed  forever."  Rom.  ix.  5.  He  says, 
"Feed  the  Church  of  GOD,  which  he  hath  pur- 
chased with  his  own  blood,"  Acts  xx.  28.  And 
he,  therefore,  meant  exactly  as  he  wrote,  that  "  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the  blessed  and  only  Poten- 
tate— the  King  of  Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords," 
as  is  expressly  declared  of  him  in  Rev.  xix.  16,  as 
follows:  "  And  he  was  clothed  in  a  vesture  dipped 
in  blood.  And  he  had  on  his  vesture,  and  on  his 
thigh,  a  name  written,  *  King  of  Kings,  and  Lord 
of  Lords.'"     A^ain  :  THE  LAMB  shall  overcome 


OF  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES.  293 

them,  for  ''  HE  is  Lord  of  Lords,  and  King  of 
Kings."  See  Rev.  xvii.  14.  Now,  as  there  may  be 
many  wrong  divisions  and  punctuations  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  we  advise  all  our  members  (until  this 
Church  shall  officially  publish  the  Holy  Scriptures), 
to  keep  their  eyes  single  to  the  glory  of  the  only 
*'  True  God,"  even  Jesus ;  and  they  will  soon  detect 
all  such  errors.  See  page  198,  paragraphs  9,  10,  11. 
JYote. — There  should  be  a  full  stop  at  the  word 
*'s/iet«." 

9.  We  love  the  Holy  Scriptures  because  ^Hhey  tes- 
tify of  Jesus:'  "  MOSES  WROTE  OF  JVJE," 
saith  Jesus,  John  v.  46;  because  Moses  had  no 
other  God  to  write  about;  as  St.  Paul  testifies: 
''  All  our  Fathers  drank  of  that  Spiritual  ROCK 
that  followed  them,  and  THAT  ROCK  WAS 
CHRIST."  1  Cor.  x.  1—4.  Again  he  says,  Moses 
esteemed  "  the  reproach  OFCHRLST  greater  riches 
than  the  treasures  of  Egypt.'''  See  Heb.  xi.  26.  Here 
the  Apostle  shows  us  that  *'  Christ'''  was  the  God 
which  Moses  served.  The  Old  Testament  contains 
many  examples  of  the  long-suffering  and  kindness 
of  the  Lord  Jehovah  to  his  chosen  people,  the  Jews. 
But  that  which  makes  them  most  precious  to  the 
truly  regenerated  soul,  is,  that  they  "  testify  of  Je- 
sus;' THE  LORD  JEHOVAH  HIMSELF. 

10.  HE  declared,  "They,"  (the  Scriptures,) 
"  are  they  which  testify  OF  ME,"  John  v.  39.— 
We  will  quote  the  whole  passage  :  "  Search  the 
Scriptures,  for  IN  THEM  YE  THINK  ve  have 
Eternal  Life.  Jind  they  are  they  which  TESTIFY 
OF  ME.  And  ye  will  not  come  TO  ME  that  ye 
might  HAVE  LIFE,"  John  v.  39,  40.  We,  the 
Church  of  the  Eternal  Son,  understand  our  Lord 
literally— ihsit  HE  being  GOD,  (John  i.  1,)  the 
whole  Scriptures  throughout  are  a  testimony  of  HIM, 
"  The  True  God,"  1  John  vi.  20. 


294  OF  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 

11.  But  the  Jews  thought  that  they  could  Jind 
eternal  life  in  the  Old  Testament^  by  searching  there- 
in. Our  Lord,  however,  rebukes  them  for  THINK- 
ING so!  and  tells  them  plainly^  that  he  himself  is 
that  VERY  ^'  ETERNAL  LIFE,  (see  1  John  i.  2,) 
to  whom  they  would  not  come  that  they  might  have 
life.''''  This  Scripture  is  perverted  by  many  into 
a  command  to  search  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tament^ as  if  Eternal  Life  could  be  found  there : 
whereas  it  was  spoken  in  rebuke.  Jesus  Christ  is 
only  fully  revealed  in  the  New  Testament,  i^  which 
was  not  then  written.  "  Jesus  Christ,"  (saith  the 
Apostle,)  *'hath  brought  LIFE  and  immortality  to 
light,  through  the  Gospel."     See  2  Tim.  i.  10. 

12.  And  although  we  reverence  and  highly  esti- 
mate the  Old  Testament,  because  it  testifieth  of  Je- 
sus, yet  we,  as  a  Church,  have  established  OUR 
FAITH  and  belief,  primarily,  on  the  sayings  of  Je- 
sus;  and,  secondarily,  on  those  of  his  inspired  Jipos- 
ties,  as  recorded  in  the  JYew  Testament.  The  Lord 
Jesus  assures  us  that  "  the  Law  and  the  Prophets- 
were  UNTIL  JOHN.  Since  that  time,''''  saith  he, 
''  THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD  is  preached,  and 
every  man  presseth  into  it."  Luke  xvi.  16.  We 
have  just  stated  that  "CHRIST  is  the  END  of  the 
LAW  for  righteousness  to  every  one  that  BE- 
LIEVETH,"  Rom.  x.  4.  The  Apostle  testifies 
in  another  place,  that  "  Christ  Jesus,  the  Lord, 
hath  blotted  out  the  handwriting  of  Ordinances  that 
was  against  us,  which  was  contrary  to  us,  AND 
TOOK  IT  OUT  OF  THE  WAY ;  NAILING 
IT  TO  HIS  CROSS,"  Col.  ii.  14.  This  we  have 
treated  of  more  at  large  in  the  ADDRESS. 

13.  The  regenerated  children  of  God  are,  there- 
fore, "  FREE"  from  the  Law  of  Moses,  "  by  which 
no  man  could  be  justified,"  Gal.  v.  1,  4,  18,  which 
the  following  texts  will  fully  establish:  Matt.  xvii. 


CONCLUSION.  295 

26;  Luke  xvi.  16;  John  viii.  32,  36;  Rom.  vi. 
14,  18,  22  ;  viii.  2,  21 ;  Gal.  ii.  4;  1  Pet.  ii.  16 ; 
James  i.  25;  ii.  12. 

14.  As  the  Mosaical  Law  is  abolished^  and  as  a 
part  of  the  Divine  Law,  even  in  the  Decalogue,  is 
abrogated^  we,  the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son, 
receive  nothing  for  doctrine  contained  in  the  Old 
Testament,  which  opposes  those  "J\m  Command- 
ments'''' given  by  our  Lord  in  the  New  Testament; 
or,  nothing  which  does  not  strictly  establish  and  con- 
firm His  sayings,  or  the  sayings  of  his  Holy  Apostles. 

15.  The  neit'  Law  of  Jesus  is,  Mercy,  Forgiveness, 
Charity  or  Love — love  to  Him  supremely;  and  the 
love  of  our  Neighbor  or  Brethren  as  ourselves. 
And  this  neighbor  is  the  good  Samaritan,  (so  saith 
Jesus,  Luke  x.  32,  37,)  who  pours  the  oil  and  wine 
of  the  kingdom  into  the  wounds  of  our  bruised  and 
*' half  dead"  soul  and  spirit.  This  "  neighbor"  is 
the  brother  '"''in  Christ  Jesus,^^  who  is  also  willing 
and  zealous  to  feed  and  sustain  the  Lambs  and 
Sheep  of  Christ,  with  the  "  Living  Bread  of  Hea- 
ven," so  that  they  may  be  established  on  the  Rock 
of  eternal  ages,  even  Jesus,  as  we  have  said  in  the 
introduction  to  this  volume.     Amen. 


CONCLUSION. 

In  the  foregoing  pages,  we  have  demonstrated, 
from  the  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Tes- 
taments, that  there  is  no  God  whatever  but  the 
Man  Jesus  Christ  of  Nazareth  :  the  "  God  which 
hath  purchased  us  WITH  HIS  OWN  BLOOD," 
see  Acts  XX.  28.  ^'Neither  is  there  salvation  in 
any  other,^^  saith  Saint  Peter,  Acts  iv.  12. 


296  CONCLUSION. 

2.  We  have  proved  that  there  cannot  possibly 
be  two  Gods,  or  two  JUmightys,  according  to  the 
Scriptures;  neither  can  there  be  TWO  beings  that 
can  claim  the  Title  of  "  the  First  and  the  Last." 
And  as  Jesus  called  himself  *'  the  Almighty,"  and 
<*  the  First  and  the  Last,"  and  the  "  SON  OF 
GOD,"  in  the  Holy  Revelation,  (see  Rev.  i.  8,  17; 
ii.  18,)  therefore,  we  mean,  distinctly,  when  we  say 
that  "  there  is  no  God  whatever  but  the  MAN 
Jesus  Christ  of  Nazareth,"  that  this  MAN  pre- 
existed "  from  everlasting,"  even  from  all  eternity, 
AS  A  SON — and  is  one  of  the  Eternal  Holy 
Trinity,  (see  Matt,  xxviii.  19,)  having  no  "  begin- 
ning of  days.'' ^    Heb.  vii.  3;  xiii.  8;  Micah  v.  2. 

3.  We  have  demonstrated  that  this  ''  Eternal 
Son"  is  a  TRIUNITY,  or  a  Trinity  in  unity,  ''  by 
himself:^'  that  is,  that  the  Father  and  the  Holy 
Ghost  are  eternally  one  in  him,  (who  is  called  the 
^^  second  per so7i^'  in  the  Holy  Trinity.)  Saint  Paul 
positively  declares  that  the  "  Dear  Son"  created  all 
principalities  and  "  all  things''  unexceptionably. 
See  Col.  i.  13  to  17.  And,  therefore,  we  believe 
that  when  the  *'  DEAR  SON"  created  the  Angelical 
Hosts,  they  bowed  down  unto  him,  and  worshiped 
him,  even  the  "  DEAR  SON"  which  created  them. 
We  therefore  believe,  as  a  church,  that  it  is  PER- 
DITION unto  the  souls  of  men  to  deny  the  eternity 
of  the  Son  of  God  as  a  So7i,  or  to  deny  the  "Eter- 
nal Sonship."  Because  they  sin  against  the  Triune 
God,  who  deny  the  Son  as  a  Son,  to  be  one  of  the 
Eternal  Holy  Trinity — "The  Father,  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost," — as  Jesus  has  established  it.  See 
Matt,  xxviii.  19.  Jesus  declares,  "Before  Abrara 
was,  I  AM,"  John  viii.  58,  and  asserts  his  Divine 
unity,  as  a  Son,  in  these  words,  "I  and  my  Father 
ARE  ONE."  John  x.  30.     It  is  therefore  recorded 


CONCLUSION.  297 

that  "  He  that  helieveth  not  the  SON,  shall  not 
^SEE  LIFE;=#D  but  the  wrath  of  God  ahideth  on 
him."  John  iii.  36.  We,  therefore,  have  a  settled 
conviction^  that  those  who  maintain  that  the  SON,  as 
a  Son,  is  not  one  of  the  Eternal  Holy  Trinity,  even 
the  *'I  AM,"  which  he  declared  he  was,  ^^  shall  not 
SEE  LIFE,"  but  WILL  LAND  IN  PERDITION. 

4.  We  have  demonstrated  that,  when  "  the  angels 
of  God  worship  Aim,"  as  the  Apostles  and  others 
worshiped  him  after  he  "  was  made  flesh^^  and 
'^  dwelt  amongst  us,"  they  worship  the  TOTAL 
GOD  "Bodily."  Therefore,  the  "DEAR  SON" 
being"  the  true  God^^  and  onlyGod^  he  declared  unto 
the  Prophet  Isaiah,  "  BEFORE  ME,  THERE  WAS 
NO  GOD  FORMED,  neither  shall  there  be  AF- 
TER ME.  /,  even  /,  am  THE  LORD  ;  and  BE- 
SIDES ME  THERE  IS  NO  SAVIOUR."  Isa. 
XLiii.  10,  11.  So  there  is  "wo  Saviour''''  nor  "  God 
formed"  but  the  God  who  spake  to  Isaiah,  even 
Jesus;  "  neither  is  there  salvation  in  any  other''''  hut 
Jesus,  saith  the  apostle.  Acts  iv.  12.  Therefore 
the  apostle  testifies,  "he  that  HATH  THE  SON, 
hath  life,  and  he  that  hath  not  THE  SON  OF  GOD, 
hath  not  life.''''   1  John  v.  12. 

5.  We  have  clearly  proved  from  the  Holy  Re- 
cords, that  The  Man  Jesus  Christ  of  Nazareth, 
"BY  HIMSELF,  purged  our  sins:''  Heb.  i.  3, 
because  he  "  was  God."  And  consequently,  it  was 
God  who  Mediated  "  by  himself"  between  his  crea- 
ture man  and  the  "  Wrath  :" — which  wrath  "  by  na- 
ture," is  the  cause  of  man's  eternal  death.  He,  "  the 
true  God,"  interposed  himself  h^iv^een  man  and  the 
penalty  of  eternal  death,  "  by  the  sacrifice  of  him- 

fselfj"  saith  the  Apostle,  Heb.  ix.  26,  and  became 
"  Our  Righteousness,  our  Sanctification,  and  Re- 
22 


298  CONCLUSION. 

demption,"  and    thus  he  saved  us  by  the  atoning 
"  Blood  of  his  Cross,"  even  "/w'5  own  Blood.''^ 

6.  We,  therefore,  pray  directly  unto  Jesus  our 
God  and  "Everlasting  Father,"  as  Isaiah  calls  him, 
(Isa.  ix.  6;)  and  we  shall  worship  him,  the  *' I 
AM"  and  "  Rock  of  ages,"  forever  and  ever.  (See 
the  Ordination  Prayer,  page  182.) 

"  The  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son,"  therefore, 
has  an  undivided  ^^  unify'' ^  of  Belief,  which  is 
this,  namely,  "ONE  LORD,"  Mark  xii.  29, 
"ONE  FAITH,  and  ONE  BAPTISM,"  Eph.  iv. 
5.  And  this  "  one  Lord,"  is  Jesus,  John  xiii. 
13;  this  "one  Faith,"  is  in  Jesus  alone,  John  iii. 
36;  and  this  "  one  Baptism"  is  HIS  Baptism,  the 
saving  Baptism  of  "  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire," 
Matt.'  iii.  11. 

7.  We  have  demonstrated  in  the  foregoing  pages, 
that  a  man  can  never  enter  "  the  Kingdom  of  God" 
after  death,  who  has  not  entered  into  the  Kingdom 
of  God  in.  this  life.  And  we  have  shown  that  this 
is  effected  hy  the  JVew  Birth.  Therefore,  we  say 
"  unto  all,  ye  MUST  be  Born  again."  John  iii.  7. 
And  throuorh  this  new  Birth  we  are  TRANSLATED 
AT  ONCE  unto  the  Kingdom  of  God,  or  "into  the 
kingdom  of  his  dear  Son,"  which  is  set  up  within 
us.  (See  Luke  xvii.  21  ;  Mark  ix.  1.)  Observe, 
the  apostle  testifies  that  we  are  '-'- translated,''''  that 
is,  we  are  changed  or  removed  into  the  kingdom  of^ 
Jesus.  And  we  have  shown  in  this  book,  that  this 
"translation,"  or  new  birth,  is  a  change  as  absolute 
as  a  natural  birth  into  this  w^orld  ;  and  in  this  trans- 
lation, we  become  acquainted  with"  the  Comforter," 
"even  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  whom  the  world  cannot 
receive,  because  it  seeth  him  not,  neither  knoweth 
him."  This  is  the  holy  language  of  Jesus.  John 
xiv.  16, 17.  And  saith  Jesus,  a  man  "  cannot  enter" 


CONCLUSION.  299 

or  "  see'"  the  kingdom  of  God  *'  except"  he  is  "  bom 
aojain,"  or  thus  translated.  He  then  '^ hath  the 
WITNESS  in  himself,''  saith  the  apostle.  1  John 
V.  10.  JYotice — our  Lord  uses  the  word  *'  cannot.'^ 
Opinions  on  this  momentous  subject,  therefore, 
■amount  to  nothing — "  YE  MUST  be  Born  again.'' 

8.  We  have  proved  abundantly  from  the  sayings 
of  Jesus  and  his  Apostles,  that  we  who  are  "  con- 
verted," "regenerated,"  or  "Born  again,"  or 
"  Born  of  God,"  and  who  have,  in  this  manner, 
been  "  translated"  into  the  Kingdom  of  "  the  dear 
Son,"  Col.  i.  13;  Luke  xvii.  21,  "shall  NEVER 
PERISH  :"  because  Jesus  declares,  "  My  sheep 
hear  my  voice,  and  I  know  them,  and  they  follow 
me,  and  I  give  unto  them  EFERNAL  LIFE,  and 
they  shall  never  perish,  neither  shall  any  imn  pluck 
them  out  of  MY  hand."    John  x.  27,  28. 

9.  And  this  translation  through  the  New  Birth 
IS  Christian  perfection-,  because  the  Lord  Jesus, 
who  is  our  Righteousness,  then  dwells  and  makes 
his  "  ABODE"  in  us  as,  he  declares,  John  xiv.  23, 
and  HE  is  our  PERFECTION,  and  he  keeps  us, 
and  this'"'' translation"  makes  our  calling  and  elec- 
tion sure— and  w^e  "  shall  NEVER  FALL,"  saith 
St.  Peter,  2  Peter  i.  11.  That  is,  we  shall  "  never 
perish,"  nor  commit  any  "  sin  unto  death,"  for 
Jesus,  "The  Lord  our  righteousness,"  giveth  us  a 
perpehial  victory.  Glory  be  to  his  name  ! — But  this 
new  birth  and  victory  cannot  possibly  be  under- 
stood by  the  most  sincere  servant  of  God,  who  is  a 
servant  only,  and  not  a  regenerated  son  of  God. 
The  '■'- children"  of  Jesus,  who  are  children  by  this 
new  birth,  (who  read  our  book,)  will  clearly  under- 
stand us;  but  all  may /earn  that  they  "  must  be  born 
again;"  and  we  have,  according  to  our  gift,  pointed 
out   the    way  to    "s^ek   and   find"    this   glorious 


300  CONCLUSION. 

*'  translation  into  the  kingdom  of  the  DEAR  SON." 
Col.  i.  13. 

10.  We  have  endeavored,  throughout  this  volume, 
to  impress  on  the  minds  of  a//,  that  our  motives  in 
establishing  this  new  organization  of  the  Church  of 
the  Eternal  Son,  are,  First,  the  conversion  or  regene- 
ration of  immortal  souls  ;  and,  secondly,  to  gather 
those  who  are  converted  into  one  churcli^  so  that 
there  may  be  "  one  fold  and  one  shepherd,"  even 
*'  the  Almighty"  Jesus  !    Rev.  i.  8. 

11.  We  do  not  expect  that  the  members  of  our 
church  will  remain  free  from  temptations  and  infirm- 
ities. Neither  do  we  EXPEL  our  members  for 
transgression  from  amongst  us,  who  have  been  con- 
verted or  ''  born  again,"  but  we  only  SUSPEND 
theynhom  outward  membership  or  church  fellowship. 
It,  therefore,  behoo,ves  the  overseers  of  this  church, 
and  all  its  members,  to  "lay  hands  suddenly  on  no 
man."  We  /!/)  not  believe  that  any  regenerated 
man  can  wilfully  or  habitually  dishonor  his  Saviour 
and  the  cause  of  truth  by  any  immoral  act. 

12.  When  members  are  suspended  from  member- 
ship, we  do  not  receive  them  into  CHURCH  FEL- 
LOWSHIP again  until  we  see  permanent  signs  of 
their  estahlishnent  in  the  truth  and  its  requirements. 
We  cannot  receive  them  again  into  our  "  body" 
until  their  leprosy  is  healed.  We  dare  not  entirely 
cast  them  off;  on  the  contrary,  we  are  bound  by  the 
Gospel  to  follow  them  up,  and  to  try,  by  all  possible 
means,  to  reclaim  the  PRODIGALS  who  have 
strayed  from  their  "  Father's  house."  And  none  are 
embraced  in  this  parable  of  our  Lord  but  sons  of 
God  by  the  new  birth  ;  the  servants  of  God  are  not 
sons.  It  is,  therefore,  wrong  to  apply  this  parable 
to  the  unconverted.      They  cannot  call  God  Father. 

13.  Our  discipline  requires  that  all  applicants  for 


CONCLUSION.  301 

membership  not  converted  amongst  us,  should  be 
examined  by  the  twenty-eight  short  questions,  page 
214;  and  the  committee  will  necessarily  inquire  into 
the  private  walk  and  life  of  the  applicant.  We  hope 
that  none  will  be  admitted  into  this  church  without 
extreme  caution  whose  outward  walk  has  been  "  a 
stumbling-block  in  his  brother's  way,"  either  by 
licentiousness,  or  drunkenness,  or  cruelty,  or  by  co- 
vetousness  or  legal  inhumanity  to  creditors  or  others, 
or  any  other  ungodly  act.  But  we  exhort  all  to 
A'eep /Aem.seZi;e5  "  unspotted  from  the  w^orld."  We 
have  stated  in  this  volume,  that  we  have  no  lead- 
ing men  to  conduct  our  religious  worship:  we  mean 
by  this,  that  we  have  no  OFFICIAL  leading  men; 
for  all  the  brethren  meet  in  church  fellowship  on  a 
perfect  equality,  there  being  no  distinction  made 
between  the  rich  and  the  poor,  or  the  learned,  or 
unlearned;  yet  it  must  follow  that  those  brethren 
who  have  been  largely  endowed  with  spiritual  gifts, 
will  he  foremost  in  their  zeal  for  the  glory  of  Jesus, 
and  will  zealously  keep  up  the  life  of  our  m.eetings. 

14.  A  tedious,  prosing  brother,  who  speaks  and 
prays  without  power,  must  he  privately  admonished, 
if  he  persists,  any  brother  in  THE  LIFE  may  inter- 
rupt him  by  singing,  praying,  or  exhorting,  and  the 
first  brother  must  hold  his  peace,  according  to  Gos- 
pel rule.  Chap.  X.,  page  51.  iSee  paragraph  35,  page 
209,  and  paragraph  12,  page  200.  We  will  now 
close  this  book,  by  repeating  the  summary  on  pages 
70  and  71. 

15.  SUMMARY:  We  have  clearly  demonstrated, 
from  the  holy  records  of  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments—firstly, that  the  SON  is  eternal  AS  A  SON. 
Secondly,  that  he  was  begotten  INSTANTLY  with 
the  Father'^s  own  existence.  Thirdly,  that  he  is  the 
VERY  IMAGE  of  the  Father^ s person^  and  beiiag  the 


302^  coNCLUsioir. 

*'  PERSON  and  SHAPE"  of  the  Father,  he  is  ''  the 
Father  also.''^  Fourthly,  that  he  is  co-eternal  and 
eo-equal,  and  equally  Onnnipotent,  Oraniscient,  and 
Omnipresent  with  the  Father.  Fifthly,  that  he,  the 
SON,  was  worshiped  from  all  eternity,  and  whilst 
upon  earth,  as  Goc^y  and  will  be  worshiped  and  adored 
WITHOUT  END.  Sixthly,  that  he  will  REIGN 
OVER  THE  UNIVERSE,  over  all  GODS,  and 
LORDS,  and  KINGS,  WITHOUT  END.  Seventh- 
ly, that  he,  the  SON  himself,  declares  there  is  RUT 
''ONE  LORD"  and  God,  who  shall  he  worshiped 
or  served.  See  Luke  iv.  8.  He  RECEIVED  DI- 
VINE WORSHIP,  and  APPROVED  OF  IT.  HE 
is,  therefore,  the  ONE  ONLY  LORD  AND  GOD, 
being  Jehovah  Jesus,  "the  First  and  the  Last." 
Eighthly,  He,  the  Eternal  Son,  even  the  MAN  Christ 
Jesus  of  Nazareth,  who  suffered  hunger,  thirst,  and 
pain,  who  was  tempted,  ^m\feU  all  our  infirmities, 
and  who  finally  laid  down  his  life  for  us,  himself ^ 
on  the  cross,  on  Mount  Calvary,  and  just  before  he 
expired,  cried,  "My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou 
forsaken  me?"  We  have  proven  that  the  ETERNAL 
SON,  and  THIS  MAN,  who  thus  suffered  and  died, 
ARE  ONE  and  the  SAME  PERSON,  that  is,  the 
MAN  was  GOD  in  one  ENTIRE  NATURE,  be- 
cause  "GOD""  WAS  MADE  FLESH,"  saith  the 
Apostle,  through  the  Holy  Ghost.  Ninthly,  we  have 
proven  from  the  Scriptures,  that  there  cannot  be 
two  distinct  natures  m  the  person  of  Jesus,  one  hu- 
man nature  which  suffered,  and  one  Divine  nature 
which  did  not  and  could  not  suffer,  as  is  now  taught 
in  all  the"  Orthodox^''  Theological  Schools  thvcyu^hout 
all  Christendom,  even  in  the  Roman  Catholic  Schools, 
It  makes  two  Sons  in  the  Holy  Trinity,  because  the 
natures  are  perfectly  distinct  and  not  ^' mixed  noT 
confused^'*  as  they  teach.     Besides  it  makesybo/wA- 


CONCLUSlOIf.  303 

ness  of  the  Scriptures,  and  the  Lord's  Prayer,  John 
xvii.  5,  which  we  have  proven.  Tenlhly,  we  have 
proven,  from  the  Scriptures,  that  there  is  but  one 
eternal  and  only  image  and  person  of  God,  who  can 
be  worshiped  or  adored;  and,  therefore,  although 
there  is  a  Holy  Trinity  of  persons,  yet  there  are  not 
three  distinct  "images"  or  *'  shapes"  of  God.  The 
Eternal  Son,  even  Jesus,  who  died  for  us,  IS  that 
very  Divine  person  whom  all  the  angels,  the  holy 
MEN  OF  OLD,  and  the  justified  or  redeemed  souls 
OF  men,  in  "  the  kingdom  of  heaven,^''  always  did, 
and  do  now  worship. 

And,  therefore,  WE  MEAN  BY  THE  TITLE, 
"THE  CHURCH  of. THE  ETERNAL  SON," 
^"THE  CHURCH  OF  GOD,  which  he  hath  pur- 
chased with  his  OWN  BLOOD"^  as  Saint  Paul 
declares  through  the  "Holy  Ghost,"  Acts  xx.  28, 
even  the  "  Blood  of  his  Cross"  on  Mount  Calvary; 
He  whom  Saint  John  declares  "  ^\s  THE  TRUE 
GOD.".^  1  John  V.  20.  And  we  can  repeat 
with  the  Psalmist  and  the  Apostle  Paul,  the  immor- 
tal truth  recorded  Heb.  i.  8,  Psal.  xlv.  6,  7,  and  in 
the  same  language  with  them^  in  adoration  exclaim, 
"UNTO  THE  SON,"— "THY  THRONE,  O 
GOD,  IS  FOREVER  AND  EVER!"  Amen! 
Hallelujah! 

"THE  GRACE  OF  OUR  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST 
BE  WITH  YOU  ALL.  AMEN  !"  Rev.  xxi.  22. 


Note. — The  following  charge  will  be  found  in  the  certificates  to 
the  elders,  page  191 : — "  And  the  Local  Overseers  of  the  individual 
churches  throughout  the  (wide)  circuit  of  his  duties,  WILL  SEE 
that  his  temporal  wants  are  supplied,"  &c.  It  should  read,  "  that 
his  temporal  wants,  and,  that  the  wants  of  his  wife  or  children  are 
supplied."  This  was  intended,  but  not  fully  expressed  by  the  clause. 
We  trust,  however,  that  no  brother  or  eister  will  unnecessarily  bur- 
den the  church. 


PLAN  OF  THE  HALLS  FOR  WORSHIP. 


See  pages  233  to  237, 
Scale  one-twentieth  of  an  inch  to  a  foot. 


M 


N 


3    O 


ijm 


flMITi 


o   e 


N 


ABC.  Mourner's  station.  A.  Open  space  in  the  centre  of  the 
Hall,  which  the  mourners  will  face  when  kneeling,  and  from  which 
space  they  shall  be  spoken  to.  Two  movable  benches  may  be  placed 
in  this  space,  but  without  backs  or  cushions.  B.  Mourner's  bench- 
es.    [The  four  diagonal  aisles  may  be  closed  at  the  entrance  to  these 


PLAN  OF  THE  HALLS  FOR  WORSHIP.      305 

benches,  by  a  door  to  the  pews  back  of  B.  This  shall  only  be  closed 
when  the  station  is  crowded.]  C.  Railing  with  kneeling  boards  and 
cushions,  as  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Churches.  D.  Lateral 
aisles,  four  feet  wide.  E.  Diagonal  aisles,  three  feet  wide.  F. 
Aisles,  four  feet  six  inches  wide,  around  the  walls  of  the  Hall.  G. 
Elevated  benches  around  the  walls,  and  next  to  the  stairs,  with  a 
foot-hoard.  H.  Four  sections  o^ free  pews  without  doors.  I.  Sec- 
tion for  females  exclusively.  J.  Vestibules.  K.  Two  of  four  com- 
mittee rooms.  The  ceilings  of  the  Halls  shall  be  at  least  twenty 
feet  high  ;  this  will  allow  of  two  stories  for  these  rooms.  The  part 
facing  the  audience  at  P,  and  the  division  between  K  K,  may  be 
made  movable  by  upward  slides,  so  as  to  give  room,  and  also  air 
from  the  middle  front  window.  L.  Winding  Stairs  to  the  second 
story  committee  rooms.  M.  Stairs  of  entrance  up  into  the  Hall, 
five  feet  wide; — that  is,  when  the  Halls  are  constructed  on  a  se- 
cond-story, which  shall  always  be  the  case,  where  ground  is  very 
valuable.  [These  stairs  shall  be  cased-in,ten  feethigh  ;  and  closed 
by  a  folding-door  between  O  and  J,  which  shall  in  warm  weather  be 
folded  back  against  the  three  feet  angle  at  J.  This  construction 
will  admit  light  and  air  from  the  front  windows,  opposite  the  vesti- 
bules J  J.]  N.  Outside  door-way  with  folding  doors.  O.  Doors 
into  the  Hall  from  the  vestibule,  four  feet  wide.  P.  Aisle  six  feet 
wide.  These  Halls  shall  be  well  ventilated,  with  large  windows  all 
around,  and  if  possible,  they  shall  be  built  in  the  city  with  side 
alleys,  or  avenues.  A  corner  lot  would  always  be  preferable.  And 
if  these  side  alleys  cannot  be  constructed,  the  Hall  can  be  lighted 
and  ventilated  by  a  sky-light.  We  do  earnestly  hope  that  our  Halls 
will  always  be  well  lighted  vp  at  night — and,  if  in  cities,  with  gas- 
lights. 

The  construction  of  our  Halls  for  worship  with  four  sections 
facing  the  centre,  and  gradually  rising  from  the  centre,  on  a  grade 
of  one  inch,  or  one  inch  and  a  half  to  the  foot,  with  open  and  free 
pews,  and  a  mourner's  station  in  the  centre,  also  without  upper 
GALLERIES,  as  laid  down  in  the  foregoing  plan,  SHALL  NOT  BE 
ALTERED  BY  ANY  FUTURE  ACT  OF  THIS  CHURCH.  Im- 
provements in  the  minutije  may  be  made,  but  the  broad  plan  shall 
remain.  Our  Overseers,  Elders,  Ministers,  or  active  members  shall 
not  occupy  any  particular  place  in  these  Halls,  but  shall  mix  with  the 
audience,  and  exhort,  preach,  or  pray,  from  the  place  they  occupy, 
and  not  go  to  the  centre,  or  any  particular  place,  for  this  purpose.  It 
is  a  perpetual  rule  in  this  church,  that  we  have  no  high  or  select  seats 
for  our  Overseers,  Ministers,  or  Elders. 


A     COLLECTION 


HYMN  S, 


FOR  THE  USE  OF 


THE   CHURCH   OF  THE   ETERNAL  SON, 


SELECTED,  COMPILED,  AND  ADAPTED  TO  THE 
WORSHIP  OF  THE  ETERNAL  SON. 


And  when  they  had  sung  an  HYMN,  (Jesus  and  his  Apostles, 
they  went  out  into  the  Mount  of  Olives."  Matt.  xxvi.  30 ;  Mark 
xiv.  26. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

1848. 


PREFACE 


The  following  hymns,  selected  generally  from 
standard  hymn-books,  have  been  altered,  where  re- 
quired, so  as  to  suit  the  immediate  worship  of  Jesus 
"  The  True  God."  1  John  v.  20.  Some  are  given 
without  any  alteration.  Of  such  are  the  following 
hymns  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Hymn  Book 
of  1843 : — "  O  Love  Divine,  what  hast  thou  done!" 
Hymn  187. — "With  glorious  clouds  encompassed 
round."  Hymn  32. — "  Our  Lord  is  risen  from  the 
dead."  Hymn  523. — "  He  dies,  the  Friend  of  Sin- 
ners dies."  Hymn  524,  &c.  These  glorious  hymns 
declare  the  ORIGIN KL  faith  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Churchy  and  loudly  proclaim  the  Divinity  of 
the  "  CO-ETERNAL  SON."  The  following  stanzas 
of  Hymn  187  are  sublime : 

Th'  IMMORTAL  God  for  me  has  died  ; 
My  Lord,  my  Love,  is  crucified. 

Many  of  the  following  hymns  were  composed  by 
Dr.  Isaac  Watts,  whose  poetry  has  done  more  to 
establish  the  divinity  and  eternity  of  the  Son  of  God, 


310  PREFACE. 

than  that  of  any  modern  writer.  Many  of  his 
hymns  have  been  shorn  of  their  glory,  by  alterations 
to  suit  the  weak  faith  of  the  churches.  As  an  in- 
stance, in  Hymn  9,  Book  II.,  Watts  writes 

"  When  Godj  the  Mighty  Maker,  died," 

This  has  been  altered,  and  reads  in  the  M.  E.  Hymn 
Book, "When  Christ,  the  Mighty  Maker,  died."  In 
the  M.  P.  Hymn  Book  it  reads,  "  When  Christ,  the 
great  Redeemer,  died  ;"  and  in  other  collections,  it  is 
made  to  read,  "  When  Christ,  the  mighty  Saviour, 
died."  So  that  none  of  these  altered  hymns 
maintain,  with  Dr.  Watts,  that  ''  GOD,.the  Mighty 
MAKER,  died." 

We  recommend  the  Church  of  the  Eternal  Son 
at  an  early  day  to  appoint  a  committee  to  add  to  the 
following  list  of  hymns,  and  hav^e  them  properly 
arranged  in  a  suitable  book.  Also  to  have  the 
hymns  and  choruses  set  to  suitable  music,  so  that 
they  may  be  learned  and  sung  without  discord.  We 
cherish  the  science  of  music,  but  we  wish  all  our 
music  to  be  composed  and  sung  with  life  to  the 
honor  and  glory  of  God,  in  accordance  with  the  rule 
laid  down  in  the  XXth  Article  of  Faith,  page  100» 


H  Y  M  N  S 


THE  TRUE  GOD. 

*'  Our  God  is  one  Lord.''^   Mark  xii.  29. 


\  P.  M.  8  lines  8's. 


T 


is  Jesus!  "TRUE  GOD,"  we  adore, 
Our  faithful,  unchangeable  friend, 
Whose  love  is  as  great  as  his  power, 

And  neither  knows  measure  nor  end. 
'Tis  Jesus,  the  First  and  the  Last, 

Whose  spirit  will  guide  us  safe  home 
We'll  praise  him  for  all  that  is  past. 

And  trust  him  for  all  that's  to  come. 

P.  M.  66,  77,  77. 

JESUS,  my  God  and  King, 
Thy  royal  state  I  sing: 
Thou  and  only  thou  art  great. 

High  thine  everlasting  throne ; 
Thou  the  sovereign  potentate — 
Bless'd  immortal,  thou  alone. 

2  Essay  your  choicest  strains — 
The  King  Messiah  reigns! 
Tune  your  harps,  celestial  choir, 


312  THE  TRUE  GOD. 

Joyful  all  your  voices  raise  ; 
Christ,  than  Gods  or  Lords  is  higher- 
Sons  of  men,  and  angels,  praise! 

3  Hail  your  dread  Lord  and  ours. 

Dominions,  thrones  and  powers ! 
Source  of  power,  he  rules  alone : 

Veil  your  eyes,  and  prostrate  fall ; 
Cast  your  crowns  before  his  throne — 

Hail  the  cause,  the  Lord  of  all ! 

4  Let  earth's  remotest  bound 

With  echoing  joys  resound  ; 
Christ  to  praise  let  all  conspire ; 

Praise  doth  all  to  Christ  belong  : 
Shout,  ye  first-born  sons  of  fire ; 

Earth,  repeat  the  glorious  song. 

5  Worthy,  O  Lord,  art  thou, 

That  every  knee  shall  bow, 
Every  tongue  to  thee  confess; 

Universal  nature  join. 
Strong  and  mighty,  thee  to  bless, 

Gracious,  merciful,  benign. 

6  W^isdom  is  due  to  thee. 

And  might  and  majesty ; 
Thee  in  mercy  rich,  we  prove: 

Glory,  honor,  praise  receive; 
Worthy  thou  of  all  our  love. 

More  than  all  w^e  pant  to  give. 

7  Jesus,  thou  wilt  maintain 

Thine  everlasting  reign ; 
Triune  God!  and  source  of  light, 

God  of  Gods!   and  Lord  alone; 
King  of  saints!  let  all  unite, 

Gratefully  thy  sway  to  own. 


THE  TRUE  GOD.  313 

3  CM. 

ALL  hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name! 
Let  angels  prostrate  fall: 
Bring  forth  the  royal  diadem, 
And  crown  him  Lord  of  all. 

2  Crown  him,  ye  martyrs  of  our  God, 

"Who  from  his  altar  call ; 
Praise  him  who  shed  for  you  his  blood. 
And  crown  him  Lord  of  all. 

3  Ye  chosen  seed  of  Israel's  race, 

A  remnant  weak  and  small, 
Hail  him  who  saves  you  by  his  grace, 
And  crown  him  Lord  of  all. 

4  Ye  Gentile  sinners,  ne'er  forget 

The  wormwood  and  the  gall ; 
Go  spread  your  trophies  at  his  feet. 
And  crown  him  Lord  of  all. 

5  Let  every  kindred — every  tribe 

On  this  terrestrial  ball, 
To  him  ALL  MAJESTY  ascribc, 
And  crown  him  Lord  of  all. 

6  Oh  !  that  with  yonder  sacred  throng 

We  at  his  feet  may  fall ; 
There  join  the  everlasting  song, 
And  crown  him  God  o'er  all. 

4  L.  M. 

JEHOVAH  speaks!  (let  Israel  hear. 
Let  all  the  earth  rejoice  and  fear) — 
He  the  Eternal  Son  proclaims, 
His  sovereign  honors,  and  his  names. 

23 


314  THE  TRUE  GOD. 

2  "  I  am  the  Last,  and  I  the  First — 

The  God  that  died,  and  God  the  just ; 
There's  none  beside  me, — none  to  show 
Such  justice  and  salvation  too. 

3  ["Ye  that  in  shades  of  darkness  dwell, 

Just  on  the  verge  of  death  and  hell, 
Look  up  to  me  from  distant  lands. 
Light,  life,  and  heaven  are  in  my  hands.] 

4  "My  name  is  Jesus,  I  the  Lord, 

Have  by  my  holy  name  declared, 
To  me  shall  all  things  bend  the  knee, 
And  every  tongue  confess  to  me. 

5  "  In  me  alone  shall  men  confess. 

Lies  all  their  strength  and  righteousness ; 
But  such  as  dare  despise  my  name, 
I'll  clothe  them  with  eternal  shame. 

6  "In  me  the  Lord  shall  all  the  seed 

Of  Israel  from  their  sins  be  freed, 
And  by  their  shining  graces  prove 
Their  int'rest  in  my  pard'ning  love." 

5  P.  M.     6  lines  8's. 

JESUS!  thou  art  the  life  and  light 
Of  all  this  wondrous  world  we  see; 
Its  glow  by  day,  its  smiles  by  night, 

Are  but  reflections  caught  from  thee ; 
Where'er  we  turn,  thy  glories  shine, 
And  all  things  fair  and  bright  are  thine. 

2  When  day  with  farewell  beam  delays. 
Among  the  opening  clouds  of  even. 
And  we  can  almost  think  we  gaze 
Through  golden  vistas  into  heaven, 


THE  TRUE  GOD.  315 

Those  hues  that  mark  the  sun's  decline, 
So  soft,  so  radiant,  Lord,  are  thine. 

3  When  night,  with  wings  of  stormy  gloom, 

Overshadows  all  the  earth  and  skies. 
Like  some  dark  beauteous  bird,  whose  plume 

Is  sparkling  with  a  thousand  eyes. 
That  sacred  gloom,  those  fires  divine. 
So  grand,  so  countless.  Lord,  are  thine. 

4  When  youthful  spring  around  us  breathes. 

Thy  spirit  warms  her  fragrant  sigh. 
And  ev'ry  flower  the  summer  wreathes. 

Is  born  beneath  that  kindling  eye ; 
WTiere'er  we  turn  thy  glories  shine. 
And  all  things  fair  and  bright  are  thine. 

5  But  fairer,  brighter  far  than  they. 

Are  the  redeemed,  bought  with  thy  blood; 
"  Heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away," 

But  souls  immortal  dw^ell  with  God; 
For  God  thou  art!  thou  art  divine! 
And  blood  bought  souls  and  all  are  thine. 

g  P.M.     8'sand7's. 

BRIGHTNESS  of  the  Eternal  Glory, 
Image  of  one  God  exprest, 
Jesus,  let  thy  works  adore  Thee, 

God  supreme,  forever  blest ! 
Still  upheld  by  their  Creator, 

Heaven  and  earth  thy  power  confess ; 
Lord  of  universal  nature. 
Take  the  universal  praise. 

2  From  his  heavenly  throne  descending. 
Son  of  God,  and  Son  of  Man, 
See  him  on  a  cross  depending, 
Bv  his  sinful  creatures  slain! 


316  THE  TRUE  GOD. 

0  the  depth  of  love  redeeming! 

GOD  his  spirit  doth  resign ; 
See  the  blood  in  pardons  streaming — 

Precious  balm  of  blood  divine! 

3  Flow'd  from  him  an  open  fountain 

For  the  universal  sin, 
Wash'd  away  th'  enormous  mountain, 

Made  the  souls  of  sinners  clean ; 
By  his  one  complete  oblation 

Jesus  did  the  ransom  give, 
Quench'd  his  holy  indignation, 

Purg'd  the  guilt  of  all  that  "/we," 

4  Object  of  their  adoration, 

Jesus,  thee  thine  angel-train 
Met  with  rapturous  exclamation, 

Welcom'd  to  thy  courts  again ! 
Still  they  shout,  and  fall  before  thee, 

Thee  their  great  Creator  own  ; 
Thou,  the  source  of  life  and  glory, 

Bright  on  thine  eternal  throne! 

^  P,  M.     8's  and  6's. 

SHALL  foolish,  weak,  short-sighted  man 
Beyond  archangels  go — 
Jesus  the  "Mighty  God"  explain, 

Or  to  perfection  know  ? 
His  attributes  divinely  soar. 

Above  the  creature's  sight. 
And  prostrate  seraphim  adore 
The  glorious  Infinite. 

2  Jesus,  thy  everlasting  days. 
They  cannot  numbered  be;. 
Incomprehensible  the  space 
Of  thine  immensity ; 


J 


THE  TRUE  GOD.  317 

Thy  wisdom's  depth  by  reason's  line 

In  vain  we  strive  to  sound, 
Or  stretch  our  laboring  thought  to  assign 

Omnipotence  a  bound. 

The  brightness  of  thy  glory  leaves 

Description  far  below; 
Nor  man,  nor  angel's  heart  conceives 

How  deep  thy  mercies  flow: 
Thy  love  is  most  unsearchable, 

And  dazzles  all  above  ; 
They  gaze,  but  cannot  count  or  tell, 

The  treasures  of  thy  love ! 

C.  M. 

ESUS  our  "everlasting"  Lord, 

Our  Father,  God,  and  King! 
Thy  sovereign  goodness  we  record, 
Thy  glorious  power  we  sing. 

By  thee  the  victory  is  given : 

The  majesty  divine. 
And  strength,  and  might,  and  earth,  and  heav'n, 

And  all  therein  are  thine. 

The  kingdom.  Lord,  is  thine  alone. 

Thou  dost  thy  right  maintain : 
And  high  on  thy  eternal  throne. 

O'er  "Gods"  and  angels  reign. 

Riches,  as  seemeth  good  to  thee, 

Thou  dost,  and  honor,  give ; 
And  kings  their  power  and  dignity 

Out  of  thy  hand  receive. 

Thou  hast  on  us  thy  grace  bestow 'd, 

Thy  greatness  to  proclaim  ; 
Now  in  thy  kingdom,  O  our  God, 

We  praise  thy  glorious  name. 


318  THE  TRUE  GOD. 

6  Thy  glorious  name,  and  mighty  powers, 
Thou  dost  to  us  make  known ; 
And  all  the  Deity  is  ours 
In  JESUS'  name  alone! 


9 


CM. 

A  THOUSAND  oracles  divine 
Their  common  beams  unite  ; 
That  sinners  may  with  angels  join 

To  worship  God  aright. 
Chorus. — 0  the  Lamb,  the  loving  Lamb,  &c. 

2  To  praise  a  Trinity  adored 

By  all  the  hosts  above ; 
And  ONE  thrice  holy  God  and  Lord 
Through  endless  ages  love. 

3  Triumphant  host!  they  never  cease 

To  laud  and  magnify 
The  triune  God  of  holiness, 
Whose  glory  fills  the  sky. 

4  Whose  glory  through  all  space  extends 

Which  he  himself  imparts. 
And  the  whole  Trinity  descends 
With  Jesus  in  our  hearts. 

5  'Tis  then  the  upper  choir  we  meet, 

And  shout  with  them  and  sing; 
Jehovah's  reigning  in  our  souls ! 
The  First!  the  Last!  our  King! 

6  This  "God  made  flesh"  is  wholly  ours, 

And  shall  forever  reign 
The  God  of  all  created  powers, 
Of  angels  and  of  men. 

7  For  Jesus  is  the  only  God 

That  heaven  and  earth  can  claim; 


THE  TRUE  GOD.  319 

Worship'd  by  saints,  by  thrones  adored, 
^*The  First!  the  Last!"  I  AM! 

10  L.M, 

BEFORE  Jehovah's  awful  throne, 
Ye  nations  bow  with  sacred  joy ; 
Jesus  who  died  is  God  alone, 
He  can  create  and  he  destroy, 

2  His  sovereign  power  with  none  to  aid 

Made  us  of  clay  and  formed  us  men : 
And  when  like  wand'ring  sheep  w^e  stray'd, 
He  brought  us  to  his  fold  again. 

3  We'll  crowd  thy  gates  with  thankful  songs, 

High  as  the  heavens  our  voices  raise ; 
And  earth,  with  her  ten  thousand  tongues, 
Shall  fill  thy  courts  with  sounding  praise. 

4  Boundless  as  space  is  thy  command ; 

Vast  as  eternity  thy  love ; 
Firm  as  a  rock  thy  truth  must  stand. 
When  rolling  years  shall  cease  to  move. 

11  LM 

"  Hear,  O  Israel,  the  Lord  our  God  is  OJSTE  Lord."*"* 
Mark  xii.  29. 

"1^  ISRAEL,  hear,  the  Lord  our  God 
\J       Is  one  [Eternal  only]  Lord:" 
Jesus  his  name!  by  all  adored — 
Jehovah!  Jah!  Eternal  Word! 

2  The  God  of  Gods !  and  King  of  Kings ! 
The  Lord  of  Lords  !  Eternal  Son ! 
Jesus!  whose  name  salvation  brings — 
The  Holy!  High,  and  Lofty  One. 


320  god's  advent. 

3  Thy  goings  forth  were  from  of  old — 

From  everlasting,  "First  and  Last:'* 
Omniscient  One !  Thou  dost  behold 
The  future,  present,  and  the  past. 

4  Thou  didst  declare,  thou  Son  of  Man, 

Whilst  in  the  veil  of  flesh  and  blood, 
Thyself  to  be  the  great  I  AM— 
Wert  worship'd  as  the  only  God. 

5  Thou  didst  declare,  in  flaming  light. 

Thyself  "the  First  and  Last,"  "wast dead P' 
Thou,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit  bright. 
Thou  Triune  God! — on  Calvary  bled. 

6  When,  seated  on  thy  glorious  throne, 

Before  thee  all  thy  creatures  stand. 
Then,  thou  wilt  show  who  is  thy  own, 
•  Who  thee  adored  at  thy  "RIGHT  HAND." 

7  They  who  deny  thy  holy  words. 

And  laugh  and  scoff*  that  God  should  die, 
Will  then  believe  thou'rt  God  of  Gods ; 
But  in  eternal  woe  shall  lie. 

8  Jesus,  our  God !  thy  aid  afford 

To  every  doubting  soul  that's  blest ; 
Grant  thy  abiding  Spirit,  Lord — 
This,  only  this,  gives  joy  and  rest. 


GOD'S  ADVENT. 


12  c.  M. 


p 


LUNG'D  in  a  gulf  of  dark  despair, 
We  wretched  sinners  lay, 
Without  one  cheerful  beam  of  hope, 
Or  spark  of  glimm'ring  day. 


god's  advent*  321 

2  With  pitying  eyes,  Jehovah  God 

Beheld  our  helpless  grief: 
He  saw,  and  (0  amazing  lovet) 
He  ran  to  our  relief. 

3  Down  from  the  shining  seats  above 

With  joyful  haste  he  fled, 
Enter'd  the  world  in  mortal  flesh, 
And  dwelt  among  "^Ac  dead.^^ 

4  He  spoiPd  the  powers  of  darkness  thus. 

And  brake  our  iron  chains: 
JESUS  hath  freed  our  captive  souls 
From  everlasting  pains. 

5  [In  vain  the  baffled  prince  of  hell 

His  cursed  project  tries; 
We  that  were  doom'd  his  endless  slaves. 
Are  raised  above  the  skies.] 

6  0!  for  this  love,  let  rocks  and  hills 

Their  lasting  silence  break. 
And  all  harmonious  human  tongues 
The  Saviour's  praises  speak. 

7  [Yes,  we  will  praise  thee,  dearest  Lord ! 

Our  souls  are  all  on  flame ! 
Hosanna  round  the  spacious  earth 
To  thine  adored  name! 

8  Angels!  assist  our  mighty  joys, 

Strike  all  your  harps  of  gold ; 
But  when  you  raise  your  highest  notes. 
His  LOVE  can  ne'er  be  told.] 

13  L.  M. 

THE  King  of  glory!  God  the  Son, 
Now  makes  his  entrance  on  this  earth; 
Behold  the  midnight  bright  as  noon, 
And  heavenly  hosts  declare  his  birth  I 


322 

2  About  the  young  Redeemer's  head 

What  wonders,  and  what  glories  meet ! 
An  unknown  star  arose,  and  led 
The  eastern  sages  to  his  feet. 

3  Simeon  and  Anna  both  conspire 

The  Infant  Saviour  to  proclaim ; 
Inward  they  felt  the  sacred  fire, 

And  bless'd  the  babe,  and  own'd  his  name. 

4  Let  Jews  and  Greeks  blaspheme  aloud, 

And  treat  the  holy  child  with  scorn; 
Our  souls  adore  th'  Eternal  God, 
Who  condescended  to  be  born. 

J4  P.  M.     ll's  and  lO's. 

HAIL  the  blest  morn  when  the  great  Mediator 
Down  from  the  mansions  of  glory  descends ; 
Shepherds,  go  worship  the  Babe  in  the  manger, 
Lo!  for  his  guard  the  bright  angels  attend. 

CHORUS. 

Kindest  and  best  of  the  sons  of  the  morning. 
Dawn  on  our  darkness  and  lend  us  thine  aid  ; 

Star  in  the  east,  the  horizon  adorning, 

Guide  where  our  infant  Redeemer  was  laid. 

2  Cold  on  his  cradle  the  dew  drops  are  shining. 

Low  lies  his  head  with  the  beasts  of  the  stall; 
Angels  adore  him,  in  slumber  reclining, 

Maker,  and  Monarch,  and  Saviour,  and  all. 

3  Say,  shall  we  yield  him  a  costly  devotion. 

Odors  of  Eden,  or  offering  divine — 
Gems  from  the  mountains  and  pearls  from  the 
ocean. 
Myrrh  from  the  forest,  and  gold  from  the  mine  ? 

4  Vainly  we  offer  each  ample  oblation, 

All  these  can  never  his  favor  secure; 


323 


Richer  by  far  is  the  heart's  adoration, 

Dearest  to  God  are  the  prayers  of  the  "jooor." 

15  P-  M- 

FROM  the  regions  of  love  an  angel  descended, 
And  told  the  strange  news  how  the  babe  was 
attended ; 
Go,  shepherds,  and  visit  this  wonderful  stranger — 
With  wonder  and  joy  see  your  Gojd  in  a  manger. 

CHORUS. 

Hallelujah  to  the  Lamb 

Who  has  purchased  our  pardon, 

We'll  praise  him  again, 

When  we  pass  over  Jordan. 

2  Glad  tidings  I  bring  unto  you  and  each  nation ; 
Glad  tidings  of  joy,  now  behold  your  salvation: 
When  sudden  a  multitude  raise  their  glad  voices, 
And  shout  the  Redeemer  while  heaven  rejoices. 

3  Now  glory  to  God  in  the  highest  is  given, 
Now  glory  to  God  is  re-echo'd  through  heaven; 
Around  the  whole  earth  let  us  tell  the  glad  story. 
And  sing  of  his  love,  his  salvation  and  glory. 

4  Enraptured  I  burn  with  delight  and  desire, 
A  love  so  divine  sets  my  soul  all  on  fire  ; 
Around   the   bright   throne    now    hosannas    are 

ringing. 
Oh,  when  shall  I  join  them,  and  be  ever  singing! 

5  Triumphantly  ride  in  thy  chariot  victorious. 
And  conquer  with  love,  oh  Jesus,  all  glorious! 
Thy  banner,  unfurl,  bid  the  nations  surrender. 
And  own  thee  their  Saviour,  their  God  and  De- 
fender. 


324  GOD'S  ADVENT. 

Jg  P.  M.     Calvary.  87,  87,  87. 

HARK!  the  heralds  of  salvation! 
Joyful  news  the  angels  bring: 
God  himself  in  flesh  hath  entered, 
Jesus  is  the  new  born  King. 
Hail!  all  glory,  hail!  all  glory, 
Let  the  whole  creation  sing. 

2  Shepherds  start  from  midnight  slumber, 

See  the  glory  shining  round, 
Gazing  on  the  blaze  they  wonder. 
Till  they're  prostrate  on  the  ground  : 
Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 
By  the  shepherds  doth  resound. 

3  Fear  not,  shepherds,  saith  the  angel, 

Banish  sorrow  from  your  eyes ; 
For  in  Bethlehem's  coarse  manger 
God,  a  spotless  infant  lies: 
See  Jehovah!  see  Jehovah  ! 
Veil'd  in  clay  below  the  skies. 

4  Haste  aw^ay,  ye  eastern  sages. 

See!  the  star  proclaims  your  God;    ^ 
Fear  not  Herod,  though  he  rages, 
Sending  peals  of  death  abroad: 

Rachel  mourning,  Rachel  mourning, 
For  her  children  he  destroyed. 

5  Sinners  rage,  each  saint  rejoices. 

At  the  great  Redeemer's  birth; 
Angels  join  their  cheerful  voices, 

"Good  will  to  men,  and  peace  on  earth." 

Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 

Glory  in  the  Saviour's  birth: 

6  Let  all  people  have  salvation, 

Saith  the  heralds  from  above ; 


325 


Sound  his  name  through  every  nation, 
Teach  the  world  redeeming  love; 
Go,  ye  heralds !  go,  ye  heralds ! 
Spread  his  name  where'er  ye  rove. 

Jesus,  spread  thy  gospel  glory, 

Save  poor  dying  souls  from  hell; 
Let  all  nations  bow  before  thee. 

Love  thy  name,  and  with  thee  dwell : 
Haste,  ye  heralds!  haste,  ye  heralds! 
Your  Redeemer's  name  to  tell. 


n 


T 


L.  M. 

0  Jesus,  **Lord  and  God"  supreme. 
Be  everlasting  honors  given ; 
He  saves  from  hell,  (we  bless  his  name,) 
We  call  our  wand'ring  feet  to  heaven. 

Not  for  our  duties  or  deserts. 

But  of  his  own  abounding  grace. 

He  works  salvation  in  our  hearts. 
And  forms  a  people  for  his  praise. 

'Twas  his  own  purpose  that  begun 
To  rescue  rebels  doom'd  to  die ; 

His  will  decreed  what  he  has  done. 
Before  he  spread  the  starry  sky. 

Jesus,  our  God  comes  down  at  last. 
And  makes  th'  eternal  counsels  known 

Declares  his  great  transactions  past, 
And  brings  immortal  blessings  down. 

He  dies ;  and  in  that  dreadful  night 
Did  all  the  powers  of  hell  destroy; 

Rising,  he  brought  our  heaven  to  light. 
Our  resurrection  and  our  joy. 


326  god's  advent 

18 


H 


P.  M.     8,  7,  4. 

ARK!  the  voice  of  love  and  mercy- 
Sounds  aloud  from  Calvary; 
See!  it  rends  the  rocks  asunder — 
Shakes  the  earth  and  veils  the  sky! 

*It  is  finished!' — 
Hear  the  dying  Saviour  cry. 

2  It  is  finished  ! — Oh,  what  pleasure 

Do  these  precious  words  afford! 
Heavenly  blessings  without  measure 
Flow  to  us  from  Christ,  the  Lord : 

It  is  finished  ! — 
Saints,  the  dying  words  record ! 

3  Finished  all  the  types  and  shadows 

Of  the  ceremonial  law; 
Finished — all  that  God  has  promised, 
Death  and  hell  no  more  shall  awe: 

It  is  finished! 
Saints,  from  hence  your  comforts  draw. 

4  Tune  your  harps  anew,  ye  seraphs, 

Join  to  sing  the  pleasing  theme; 
All  on  earth,  and  all  in  heaven, 
Join  to  praise  Immanuel's  name : 

Hallelujah! 
Glory  to  the  bleeding  Lamb  ! 

19  L.M. 

^  nr^IS  finished — so  the  Saviour  cried, 

JL      And  meekly  bowed  his  head  and  died ; 
'Tis  finished — yes,  the  work  is  done, 
The  battle  fought,  the  victory  won. 

2  'Tis  finished — all  that  Heav'n  decreed, 
And  all  the  ancient  prophets  said. 


god's  advent.  327 

Is  now  fulfill'd,  as  long  designed, 
In  me,  the  Saviour  of  mankind. 

3  'Tis  finished — Aaron  now  no  more 
Must  stain  his  robes  with  purple  gore ; 
The  sacred  veil  is  rent  in  twain. 

And  Jewish  rites  no  more  remain. 

4  'Tis  finished — this,  my  dying  groan, 
Shall  all  sins  cancel,  except  one: 
Millions  shall  be  redeemed  from  death 
By  this,  my  last  expiring  breath. 

5  'Tis  finished — heav'n  is  reconcil'd. 
And  all  the  powers  of  darkness  spoiled  : 
Peace,  love,  and  happiness,  again 
Return  and  dwell  with  sinful  men. 

6  'Tis  finished — let  the  joyful  sound 

Be  heard  through  all  the  nations  round ; 

'Tis  finished — let  the  echo  fly 

Thro'  heaven  and  hell,  thro'  earth  and  sky. 


GOD'S  CRUCIFIXION  AND 
ATONEMENT. 

20  p.  M.     6  lines  8's. 

OLOVE  divine,  what  hast  thou  done! 
Th'  IMMORTAL  God  hath  died  for  me  ! 
The  Father's  co-eternal  Son 

Bore  all  my  sins  upon  the  tree ! 
Th'  IMMORTAL  God  for  me  hath  died  : 
My  Lord,  my  Love  is  crucified. 

2  Behold  him,  all  ye  that  pass  by. 

The  bleeding  Prince  of  life  and  peace! 


328 


Come  see,  ye  worms,  your  Maker  die, 

And  say,  was  ever  grief  like  his  ? 
Come,  feel  with  me  his  blood  applied : 
My  Lord,  my  Love  is  crucified. 

Is  crucified  for  me  and  you, 

To  bring  us  rebels  back  to  God: 

Believe,  believe  the  record  true, 

Ye  all  are  bought  with  Jesus'  blood ; 

Pardon  for  all  flows  from  his  side  : 

My  Lord,  my  Love  is  crucified. 

Then  let  us  sit  beneath  his  cross. 

And  gladly  catch  the  healing  stream- 
All  things  for  him  account  but  loss. 

And  give  up  all  our  hearts  to  him  ; 
Of  nothing  think  or  speak  beside. 
My  Lord,  my  Love  is  crucified. 


31 


A 


C.  M. 
LAS,  and  did  my  Saviour  bleed ! 
And  did  my  Sovereign  die! 
Would  he  devote  that  sacred  head 
For  such  a  worm  as  I? 

[Thy  body  slain,  sweet  Jesus,  thine, 
And  bath'd  in  its  own  blood. 

Midst  wrath  of  hell  and  death — divine 
The  glorious  suff'rer  stood.] 

Was  it  for  crimes  that  I  had  done, 

He  groan'd  upon  the  tree? 
Amazing  pity!  grace  unknown! 

And  love  beyond  degree ! 

Well  might  the  sun  in  darkness  hide, 

And  shut  his  glories  in. 
When  God,  the  mighty  Maker,  died 

For  man,  the  creature's  sin. 


AND  ATONEMENT.  329 

5  Thus  might  I  hide  my  blushing  face, 

While  his  dear  cross  appears, 
Dissolve  my  heart  in  thankfulness, 
And  melt  my  eye  to  tears. 

6  But  drops  of  grief  can  ne'er  repay 

The  debt  of  love  I  owe : 
Here,  Lord,  I  give  myself  away, 
'Tis  all  that  I  can  do. 

22  CM. 

^VTHEN  the  first  parents  of  our  race 
T  T       Rebeird,  and  lost  their  God, 
And  the  infection  of  their  sin 
Had  tainted  all  our  blood  ; 

2  Infinite  pity  touch'd  the  heart 

Of  the  eternal  Son ; 
Descending  from  the  heav'nly  court, 
He  left  his  lofty  throne. 

3  Aside  the  Prince  of  Glory  threw 

His  most  divine  array; 
And  wrapt  his  Godhead  in  a  veil 
Of  our  inferior  clay. 

4  His  living  pow'r,  and  dying  love, 

Redeem'd  unhappy  men; 
And  rais'd  the  ruins  of  our  race 
To  life  and  God  again. 

5  To  thee,  dear  Lord,  our  flesh  and  soul 

We  joyfully  resign! 
Blest  Jesus,  take  us  for  thy  own. 
For  we  are  doubly  thine. 

6  Thine  honor  shall  for  ever  be 

The  bus'ness  of  our  days; 
24 


330 


23 


For  ever  shall  our  thankful  tongues 
Thy  great  Atonement  praise. 

L.  M. 


H 


ERE  at  thy  cross,  my  dying  God, 
I  lay  my  soul  beneath  thy  love, 
Beneath  the  droppings  of  thy  blood, 
Jesus!  nor  shall  it  e'er  remove. 

2  Not  all  that  tyrants  think  or  say, 
With  rage  and  lightning  in  their  eyes. 
Nor  hell  shall  fright  my  heart  away. 
Should  hell  with  all  its  legions  rise. 

3  Should  worlds  conspire  to  drive  me  thence, 
Moveless  and  firm  this  heart  should  lie  : 
Resolv'd  (for  that's  my  last  defence) 

If  I  must  perish,  there  to  die. 

4  But  speak,  my  Lord,  and  calm  all  fear; 
Are  we  not  safe  beneath  thy  shade  ? 
Thy  vengeance  will  not  strike  us  here ! 
Nor  Satan  dare  our  souls  invade. 

5  Yes,  I'm  secure  beneath  thy  blood, 
And  all  my  foes  shall  lose  their  aim : 
Hosanna  to  my  dying  God, 

And  my  best  honors  to  his  name. 

24  c.  M. 

EHOLD!— the  Man,  "the  mighty  God" 


B 


Comes  traveling  in  state 
Along  the  Idumean  road. 
Away  from  Bozrah's  gate. 

2  The  glory  of  his  robes  proclaim 
'Tis  our  victorious  king ! 


AND  ATONEMENT.  331 

"Tis  I:— the  Just,  th'  Almighty  One 
That  your  salvation  bring." 

3  Why,  mighty  Lord,  thy  saints  inquire, 

Why  thine  apparel's  red ; 
And  all  thy  vesture  stain'd  like  those 
Who  in  the  wine-press  tread? 

4  ^'I  BY  MYSELF  have  trod  the  press. 

And  crush'd  my  foes  alone; 
My  wrath  hath  struck  the  rebels  dead, 
My  fury  stamp'd  them  down. 

5  "  'Tis  Edom's  blood  that  dyes  my  robes 

With  joyful  scarlet  stains; 
The  triumph  that  my  raiment  wears 
Sprung  from  my  bleeding  veins. 

6  "Thus  shall  the  nations  be  destroyed 

That  dare  insult  my  saints: 
I  have  an  arm  t'avenge  their  wrongs 
An  ear  for  their  complaints. 

7  **  'Twas  me,  the  First  and  Last,  that  died, 

I  wash'd  you  in  my  blood ; 
I  am  your  Life,  your  Righteousness, 
Your  King,  your  sovereign  GOD." 

25  S.  M. 

COME,  all  harmonious  tongues. 
Your  noblest  music  bring, 
'Tis  Christ  the  everlasting  God, 
Yea,  Ch^'  t  the  Man  we  sing. 
Chorus. — Praise  ye  the  Lord,  Hallelujah!  &c. 

2  Tell  how  he  took  our  flesh, 
To  take  away  our  guilt; 
Sing  the  dear  drops  of  sacred  blood 
That  hellish  monsters  spilt. 


332  god's  crucifixion 

3  [Alas!  the  cruel  spear 

Went  deep  into  his  side, 
And  the  rich  flood  of  purple  gore 
Their  murd'rous  weapons  dy'd.] 

4  [The  waves  of  swelling  grief 

Did  o'er  his  bosom  roll ; 
And  mountains  of  our  sins  and  wrath 
Lay  heavy  on  his  soul.] 

5  Down  to  the  shades  of  death 

He  bow'd  his  awful  head  ; 
Yet  he  arose  to  live  and  reign 
When  death  itself  is  dead. 

6  No  more  the  bloody  spear, 

The  cross  and  nails  no  more ; 
For  hell  itself  shakes  at  his  name, 
And  all  the  heavens  adore. 

7  Jesus  forever  sits 

Eternal  on  his  throne  ! 
His  throne  is  heav'n,  [and  ransomed  souls 
Are  temples  of  his  own.] 

8  There  his  full  glories  shine 

With  uncreated  rays, 
And  bless  his  saints'  and  angels'  eyes, 
To  everlasting  days. 


36 


D 


C.  M. 

EAREST  of  all  the  names  above. 
My  Jesus  and  my  God, 
Who  can  resist  thy  heavenly  love. 
Or  trifle  with  thy  blood  ? 

'Tis  by  the  merits  of  thy  death 
We  are  made  whole  again : 


AND  ATONEMENT.  333 

'Tis  by  thy  interceding  breath 
The  Spirit  dwells  with  men. 

3  When  God  made  man  by  faith  I  see 

]\Iy  heaven  is  begun : 
The  holy,  just,  and  sacred  Three 
In  Jesus'  name  are  one. 

4  And  when  my  Jesus'  face  appears 

My  hope,  my  joy  begins  : 
His  name  forbids  my  slavish  fears, 
His  grace  removes  my  sins. 

5  While  Jews  on  their  own  law  rely. 

And  Greeks  of  wisdom  boast, 
I  love  th'  INCARNATE  MYSTERY, 
On  Jesus  fix  my  trust. 

21  P.  M. 

SAW  ye  my  Saviour!  saw  ye  my  Saviour! 
Saw  ye  my  Saviour  and  God? 
Oh !  he  died  on  Calvary,  to  atone  for  you  and 
me. 
And  to  purchase  our  pardon  with  blood. 

2  He  \vas  extended !  he  ^vas  extended ! 

Shamefully  nail'd  to  the  cross : 
Oh !  he  bowed  his  head  and  died !  thus  my  Lord 
was  crucified. 
To  atone  for  a  world  that  was  lost. 

3  Jesus  hung  bleeding!  Jesus  hung  bleeding! 

Three  dreadful  hours  in  pain : 
Oh!  the  sun  refused  to  shine,  when  his  majesty 
divine 
Was  derided,  insulted  and  slain. 

4  Darkness  prevailed  !  Darkness  prevailed! 

Darkness  prevailed  o^^r  the  land : 


334 

Oh!  the  solid  rocks  were  rent,  through  creation's 
vast  extent, 
When  the  Jews  crucified  God  made  man. 

5  When  it  was  finish'd,  when  it  was  finish'd, 

And  the  atonement  was  made ; 
He  was  taken  by  the  great,  and  embalm'd  in 
spices  sweet. 
And  in  a  new  sepulchre  was  laid. 

6  Hail,  mighty  Saviour!  Hail,  mighty  Saviour! 

Author  of  peace  and  of  pow'r! 
Oh !  he  burst  the  bands  of  death,  and  triumph- 
ant through  the  east, 
He  ascended  "where  he  was  before." 

7  Now  interceding!  Now  interceding! 

Pleading  that  sinners  may  live; 
Crying,  mourner  I  have  died!  0  behold  my  hands 
and  side! 
I  redeem'd  you,  and  I  will  forgive. 

8  I  will  forgive  you !  I  will  forgive  you  ! 

Only  repent  and  believe  : 
Do  just  now  come  unto  me,  I'll  be  reconciled  to 
thee. 
And  salvation  your  souls  shall  receive. 

28  C.  M. 

ITH  glorious  clouds  encompass'd  round, 


w 


Whom  angels  dimly  see; 
Will  the  unsearchable  be  found. 
Or  God  appear  to  me? 

Will  he  forsake  his  throne  above, 
Himself  to  worms  impart? 

Answer,  thou  Man  of  grief  and  love. 
And  speak  it  to  my  heart. 


AND  ATONEMENT.  335 

In  manifested  love  explain 

Thy  wonderful  design ; 
What  meant  the  suffering  Son  of  Man, 

The  streaming  blood  divine? 

Didst  thou  not  in  our  flesh  appear, 

And  live  and  die  below, 
That  I  might  now  perceive  thee  near, 

And  my  Redeemer  know  ? 

Come,  then,  and  to. my  soul  reveal 
The  heights  and  depths  of  grace. 

The  wounds  which  all  my  sorrows  heal, 
That  dear  disfigured  face. 

Before  my  eyes  of  faith  confess'd, 

Stand  forth  a  slaughter'd  Lamb ; 
And  wrap  me  in  thy  crimson  vest, 

And  tell  me  all  thy  name. 

Jehovah  in  thy  person  show, 

Jehovah  crucified! 
And  then  the  pard'ning  God  I  know, 

And  feel  the  blood  applied. 

I  view  the  Lamb  in  his  own  light, 

Whom  angels  dimly  see ; 
And  gaze,  transported  at  the  sight, 

To  all  eternity. 


29 


C.  M. 

BEHOLD  the  Saviour  of  mankind 
Nail'd  to  the  shameful  tree ! 
How  vast  the  love  that  him  inclined 
To  bleed  and  die  for  thee! 
Chorus. — 0  the  Lamb,  the  loving  Lamb,  &c. 

2  Hark,  how  he  groans!  while  nature  shakes, 
And  earth's  strong  pillars  bend ! 


336  god's  crucifixion 

The  temple's  veil  in  sunder  breaks, 
The  solid  marbles  rend. 

3  'Tis  done!  the  precious  ransom's  paid! 

"Receive  my  soul!"  he  cries: 
Immanuel  bows  his  sacred  head! 
God  bows  his  head,  and  dies! 

4  But  soon  he'll  break  death's  envious  chain, 

And  in  full  glory  shine : 
0  Lamb  of  God,  was  ever  pain. 
Was  ever  love  like  thine! 


30 


p.  M.     76,  76,  77,  76. 

["ESUS  drinks  the  bitter  cup, 
I      The  wine-press  treads  alone  : 
Tears  the  graves  and  mountains  up. 

By  his  expiring  groan  : 
Lo,  the  powers  of  heaven  he  shakes, 

Nature  in  convulsion  lies ; 
Earth's  profoundest  centre  quakes. 

The  great  Jehovah  dies ! 

0  he  dies!  he  dies  for  me, 

I  feel  the  mortal  smart! 
See  him  hanging  on  the  tree, 

A  sight  that  breaks  my  heart! 
O  that  all  to  him  might  turn! 

Sinners,  ye  may  love  him  too; 
Look  on  him,  ye  pierced,  and  mourn 

For  He  has  bled  for  you. 

Weep  o'er  your  desire  and  hope. 
With  tears  of  humblest  love  ! 

Sing,  for  Jesus  is  gone  up, 
And  reigns  enthroned  above! 

Lives  our  Head  to  die  no  more, 
Power  is  all  to  Jesus  given ; 


AND  ATONEMENT.  337 


Worship 'd  as  he  was  before, 
The  only  King  of  heav'n. 

Lord,  we  bless  thee  for  thy  grace 

And  truth,  which  never  fail; 
Hast'ning  to  behold  thy  face 

Without  a  dimming  veil ; 
We  shall  see  our  heavenly  King, 

All  thy  glorious  love  proclaim, 
Help  the  angel  choirs  to  sing 

Almighty!  sovereign  Lamb. 


31 


H 


P.  M.     8's  and  7's. 

AIL!  thou  once  despised  Jesus, 
Hail,  thou  everlasting  King ! 
Thou  didst  suffer  to  redeem  us. 

Thou  didst  free  salvation  bring. 
Hail,  thou  agonizing  Saviour, 

Bearer  of  our  sin  and  shame! 
By  thy  merits  we  find  favor. 

Life  is  given  through  thy  name. 
God  made  flesh  by  God  appointed. 

All  our  sins  on  thee  were  laid  : 
Thou  anointer,  and  anointed, 

Thou  hast  full  atonement  made: 
All  thy  people  are  forgiven 

Through  the  virtue  of  thy  blood : 
Open'd  is  the  gate  of  heav'n ; 

Peace  is  made  'twixt  man  and  God. 
Jesus,  hail !  enthroned  in  glory, 

There  for  ever  on  thy  throne  ! 
All  the  heavenly  hosts  adore  thee. 

For  thou  art  God,  and  God  alone  : 
Now  with  sinners  thou  art  pleading, 

Now  thou  dost  our  place  prepare  ; 


338  RESURRECTION  OF   GOD. 

Ever  with  us  interceding, 
Till  in  glory  we  appear. 

4  Worship,  honor,  power,  and  blessing, 

Thou  art  worthy  to  receive  : 
Loudest  praises  without  ceasing. 

Meet  it  is  for  us  to  give  ; 
Help,  ye  bright  angelic  spirits, 

Bring  your  sweetest,  noblest  lays; 
Help  to  sing  our  Saviour's  merits. 

Help  to  chant  Immanuel's  praise. 


THE  RESURRECTION  OF  GOD. 


32 


H 


C.  M. 

OSANNA  to  the  Prince  of  Light, 
That  clothed  himself  in  clay; 
Enter'd  the  iron  gates  of  death, 
And  tore  the  bars  away. 

Death  is  no  more  the  king  of  dread 
Since  our  Immanuel  rose  ; 

He  took  the  tyrant's  sting  away, 
And  spoil'd  our  hellish  foes. 

See  how  the  Conq'ror  mounts  aloft. 

All  glorious  he  flies ; 
With  scars  of  honor  in  his  flesh, 

And  triumph  in  his  eyes. 

There  our  Almighty  Saviour  reigns. 
And  scatters  blessings  down  ; 

Our  Jesus,  Father,  Maker,  God, 
Of  the  celestial  throne. 


RESURRECTION  OF  GOD.  339 

5  [Raise  your  devotion,  mortal  tongues, 

To  reach  his  blest  abode ; 
Sweet  be  the  accents  of  your  songs 
To  our  incarnate  God. 

6  Bright  angels,  strike  your  loudest  strings, 

Your  sweetest  voices  raise ; 
Let  heaven  and  all  created  things 
Sound  our  Immanuel's  praise.] 

33  c.  M. 

BLESS'D  morning,  whose  young  dawning  rays 
Beheld  our  rising  God  ; 
That  saw  him  triumph  o'er  the  dust, 
And  leave  his  last  abode  ! 

2  In  the  cold  prison  of  a  tomb 

The  dead  Redeemer  lay, 
Till  the  revolving  skies  had  brought 
The  third,  the  appointed  day. 

3  Hell  and  the  grave  unite  their  force 

To  hold  our  God  in  vain ; 
The  sleeping  conqueror  arose. 
And  burst  their  feeble  chain. 

4  To  thy  great  name,  almighty  Lord, 

These  sacred  hours  we  pay. 
And  loud  hosannas  shall  proclaim 
The  triumphs  of  the  day. 

5  [Salvation  and  immortal  praise 

To  our  victorious  King! 
Let  heaven,  and  earth,  and  rocks,  and  seas. 
With  glad  hosannas  ring.] 


340  RESURRECTION  OF  GOD. 

34  C.  M. 

iHE  Lord  of  sabaoth  let  us  praise, 
In  concert  with  the  bless'd, 
Who,  joyful  in  harmonious  lays, 
Employ  an  endless  rest. 

2  Thus,  Lord,  while  we  remember  thee. 
We  bless'd  and  holy  grow ; 

By  hymns  of  praise  we  learn  to  be 
Triumphant  here  below. 

3  On  this  glad  day  a  brighter  scene 
Of  glory  was  displayed, 

By  God,  th'  eternal  Word,  than  when 
This  universe  was  made. 

4  He  rises,  who  mankind  has  bought 
With  grief  and  pain  extreme: 

'Twas  great  to  speak  the  world  from  naught, 
'Twas  greater  to  redeem. 

5  Alone  the  dreadful  race  he  ran. 
Alone  the  wine-press  trod  ; 

He  died  and  suffer'd  God  made  man, 
He  rose  the  living  God. 

6  The  Sun  of  righteousness  appears. 
To  set  in  blood  no  more  ; 

Adore  the  scatterer  of  your  fears, 
Jesus  your  God  adore. 


35 


L.  M. 


HE  dies !  the  Friend  of  sinners  dies ! 
Lo!  Salem's  daughters  weep  around; 
A  solemn  darkness  veils  the  skies, 

A  sudden  trembling  shakes  the  ground : 


RESURRECTION  OF  GOD.  341 

Come,^  saints,  and  drop  a  tear  or  two 

For  him  who  groan'd  beneath  your  load: 

He  shed  a  thousand  drops  for  you, 
A  thousand  drops  of  richer  blood. 

2  Here's  love  and  grief  beyond  degree, 

The  Lord  of  glory  dies  for  man ! 
But  lo  !  what  sudden  joys  we  see  : 

Jesus  the  dead  revives  again! 
The  rising  God  forsakes  the  tomb ; 

(In  vain  the  tomb  forbids  his  rise  ;) 
Cherubic  legions  guard  him  home. 

And  shout  him  "Welcome  to  the  skies!" 

3  Break  off  your  tears,  ye  saints,  and  tell 

How  high  your  great  Deliverer  reigns  ; 
Sing  how  he  spoil'd  the  hosts  of  hell. 

And  led  the  monster  death  in  chains ! 
Say,  "  Live  for  ever,  wondrous  King ! 

Born  to  redeem,  and  strong  to  save!" 
Then  ask  the  monster,  "  Where's  thy  sting?" 

And,  "Where's  thy  victory,  boasting  grave?" 

36  L.  M. 

OUR  Lord  is  risen  from  the  dead ; 
Our  Jesus  is  gone  up  on  high! 
The  powders  of  hell  are  captive  led, 
Dragg'd  to  the  portals  of  the  sky. 
There  his  triumphal  chariot  waits. 

And  angels  chant  the  solemn  lay  ; 
Lift  up  your  heads  ye  heavenly  gates ; 
Ye  everlasting  doors,  give  way. 
2  Loose  all  your  bars  of  massy  light, 
And  wide  unfold  th'  ethereal  scene ; 
He  claims  these  mansions  as  his  right, 
Receive  the  King  of  Glory  in. 


342  GENERAL  RESURRECTION. 

Who  is  the  King  of  Glory  ?     Who  ? 

The  God  that  all  our  foes  o'ercame — 
The  world,  sin,  death,  and  hell  o'erthrew  ;- 

And  Jesus  is  the  conqueror's  name. 
3  Lo !  his  triumphal  chariot  waits, 

And  angels  chant  the  solemn  lay ; 
Lift  up  your  heads,  ye  heavenly  gates ; 

Ye  everlasting  doors,  give  way. 
Who  is  the  King  of  Glory?     Who? 

The  Lord,  of  glorious  power  possess'd ; 
The  King  of  saints  and  angels,  too, 

God  over  all,  for  ever  bless'd. 


THE   GENERAL  RESURRECTION. 

37  s.  M. 

ND  must  this  body  die? 
This  mortal  frame  decay? 
And  must  these  active  limbs  of  mine 

Lie  mould'ring  in  the  clay  ? 
Corruption,  earth,  and  worms, 

Shall  but  refine  this  flesh. 
Till  my  triumphant  spirit  comes 

To  put  it  on  afresh. 
God  my  Redeemer  lives, 

iVnd  often  from  the  skies 
Looks  down  and  watches  all  my  dust, 

Till  he  shall  bid  it  rise. 
Array'd  in  glorious  grace 

Shall  these  vile  bodies  shine. 
And  every  shape,  and  every  face 

Look  heavenly  and  divine. 


GENERAL  RESURRECTION.  343 

5  These  lively  hopes  we  owe 

To  Jesus'  dying  love ; 
We  would  adore  his  grace  below 
And  sing  his  power  above. 

6  Dear  Lord,  accept  the  praise 

Of  these  our  humble  songs, 
Till  tunes  of  nobler  sounds  we  raise 
With  our  immortal  tongues. 

38  L.  M. 

IHE  day  of  Christ,  our  "Lord  and  God," 
We  humbly  hope  with  joy  to  see, 
Wash'd  in  the  sanctifying  blood 
Of  an  expiring  Deity, 

2  WTio  did  for  us  his  life  resign. 

There  is  no  other  God  but  one; 
For  all  of  plenitude  divine 
Is  Jesus  the  Eternal  Son. 

3  Spotless,  sincere,  without  offence, 

0  may  we  to  his  day  remain  ! 
Who  trust  the  blood  of  Christ  to  cleanse 
Our  souls  from  every  sinful  stain. 

4  Lord,  we  believe  the  promise  sure ! 

The  purchased  Comforter  impart! 
Apply  thy  blood  to  make  us  pure : 
To  keep  us  pure  in  life  and  heart! 

5  Then  let  us  see  that  day  supreme, 

When  none  thy  Godhead  shall  deny! 
Thy  sovereign  majesty  blaspheme, 

Or  count  thee  less  than  the  Most  High : 

6  When  all  who  on  their  God  believe, 

Who  here  thy  last  appearing  love, 
Shall  thy  consummate  joy  receive. 
And  see  thy  glorious  face  above. 


344  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

THE  NEW  BIRTH;  OR,  THE  KING- 
DOM OF  GOD. 

*^  The  Kingdom  of  God  cometh  not  with  observa- 
tion :  JYeither  shall  they  say,  Lo  here !  or  Lo  there  ! 
For  behold!  the  kingdom  of  god  is  within  you." 
So  saith  Jesus.  Luke  xvii.  20,  21. 

39  p.  M.     6  lines  ll's. 

LISTEN!  O  Sion!  Jehovah  hath  spoken. 
The  Lord  thy  Redeemer  commands  thee  arise; 
Far  o'er  the  earth  reigns  darkness  unbroken, 
While  heaven's  bright  day-star  ilkimines  thy  skies. 
Listen  !   0  Sion  !  Jehovah  hath  spoken, 
The  Lord  thy  Redeemer  commands  thee,  arise  ! 

2  See  that  dark  spirit !  which  Jesus  rejected, 
(Which  cried  for  his  cross,  for  the  nails,  and  "his 

blood;") 
Now  in  your  midst  from  hell's  region  reflected — 
'Tis  antichrist  teaching  the  SON  is  not  God* 

3  Rise  to  their  rescue!  this  error  is  stealing 

O'er  souls  that  Jehovah  has  bought  with  his  blood! 
View  Calvary's  scenes!  are  they  not  appealing? 
The  light  thence  enkindled,  O  show  them  their  God  ! 

4  Show  them  that  Jesus  is  God,  and  God  only — 
Show  them  the  Son  is  th'  Eternal  I  Am : 

See  him,  ye  broken!  view  him,  ye  lonely! 
Your  Father!  your  Maker!  all  glorious  Lamb! 

5  Brother,  shout  glory!  thy  darkness  hath  vanish'd, 
Thy  sky  has  been  lit  by  His  radiant  glow; 

Joy  that  the  shades  that  enwrapp'd  thee  are  ban- 

ish'd. 
The  kingdom  of  God  now  within  thee  doth  flow. 

•   1  John  ii.  22,  23  j  and  iv.  3. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  345 

40  P.  M.       10,  10,  11,  11. 

REJOICE  evermore  with  angels  above, 
In  Jesus's  power,  in  Jesus's  love : 
With  glad  exultation  your  triumph  proclaim. 
Ascribing  salvation  to  God  the  blest  Lamb. 

2  Thou,  Lord,  our  relief  in  trouble  hast  been; 
Hast  saved  us  from  grief,  hast  saved  us  from  sin  ; 
The  power  of  thy  Spirit  hath  set  our  hearts  free, 
And  now  we  inherit  all  fullness  in  thee. 

3  All  fullness  of  peace,  all  fullness  of  joy, 
And  spiritual  bliss  that  never  shall  cloy; 
To  us  it  is  given  in  Jesus  to  know. 

The  kingdom  of  heaven  within  us  below. 

4  No  longer  we  join,  while  sinners  invite, 
Nor  envy  the  swine  their  brutish  delight ; 
Their  joy  is  all  sadness,  their  mirth  is  all  vain. 
Their  laughter  is  madness,  their  pleasure  is  pain. 

5  O  might  they  at  last  with  sorrow  return. 
The  pleasure  to  taste  for  which  they  were  born : 
Our  Jesus  receiving,  our  happiness  prove. 

The  joy  of  believing,  the  heaven  of  love. 


41 


P.  M.     6  lines  8's. 


LO!  God  is  here!  Jesus  his  name! 
And  0  !  how  joyful  is  this  place! 
Let  all  within  us  feel  the  flame. 

And  humbly  bow  before  his  face ! 
Who  know  his  power,  his  grace  who  prove, 
Serve  him  with  joy,  with  rev'rence,  love. 

2  Jesus  is  here!  Him  day  and  night 
Th'  united  choirs  of  angels  sing ; 
25 


346  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

To  Him,  enthroned  above  all  height, 

Heaven's  host  their  noblest  praises  bring: 
Disdain  not,  Lord,  our  meaner  song. 
Who  praise  thee  with  a  stamm'ring  tongue, 

3  Gladly  the  toys  of  earth  we  leave. 

Wealth,  pleasure,  fame,  for  thee  alone ; 
To  thee  our  will,  soul,  flesh,  we  give — 

0  take!  0  seal  them  for  thine  own! 
Thou  art  the  God,  thou  art  the  Lord : 
Be  thou  by  all  thy  works  adored ! 

4  Being  of  beings!  may  our  praise 

Thy  courts  with  grateful  fragrance  fill : 
Still  may  we  stand  before  thy  face, 

Still  hear  and  do  thy  sovereign  will : 
To  thee  may  all  our  thoughts  arise, 
Eternal  holy  sacrifice. 

5  In  thee  we  move : — all  things  of  thee 

Are  full,  thou  Source  and  Life  of  all : 
Thou  vast  unfathomable  sea! 

(Fall  prostrate,  lost  in  wonder  fall 
Ye  sons  of  men !  for  God  was  man !) 
All  may  we  lose,  so  thee  we  gain ! 

6  As  flowers  their  op'ning  leaves  display, 

And  glad  drink  in  the  solar  fire, 
So  may  we  catch  thy  every  ray — 

So  may  thy  Spirit  us  inspire. 
Thou  brightness  of  eternal  beam ! 
Thou  purging  fire,  thou  quick'ning  flame ! 


42 

M 


P.  M.     11,  12,  11,  12. 

Y  God,  I  am  thine— what  a  comfort  divine! 
What  a  blessing  to  know  that  my  Jesus  is 


mine 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  347 

In  the  heavenly  Lamb,  thrice  happy  I  am ; 
And    my  heart   doth   rejoice    at  the  sound  of  his 
name. 

2  True  pleasures  abound  in  that  rapturous  sound  ; 
And    whoever   hath    found   it,    the  kingdom    hath 

found  ; 
My  dear  Jesus  to  know,  and  feel  his  blood  flow, 
It  is  life  everlasting !  'tis  heaven  below ! 

3  Yet  onward  I  haste  to  the  heavenly  feast, 
That,  that  is  the  fullness;  but  this  is  the  taste  ! 
And  this  I  shall  prove,  till  with  joy  I  remove 
To  the  heaven  of  heavens  in  Jesus's  love. 

43  P.  M.     10,  12,  8,  8,  10. 

COME  and  unite  to  worship  God  our  Saviour! 
Jesus!  The  Man  who  bled,  and  died  on  Cal- 
vary ; 
He  left  the  realms  of  endless  light 
To  save  our  souls  from  darkest  night: 
O  come,  and  worship  Him,  w^ith  songs  of  praise! 

2  He  is  the  bright,  the  only  morning  star 

That  can  bestow  one  ray  of  light  to  cheer  my  soul. 

O  send  thy  Holy  Spirit  dow^n ! 

With  joy  our  humble  efforts  crown ! 

And  let  thy  name  be  prais'd  without  control! 

3  Join,  all  ye  saints,  to  worship  and  adore  him! 
He  calls  the  vilest  sinner — and  with  outstretch'd 

arms, 
Bids  all  approach,  and  freely  claim, 
The  ransom  he  has  paid  for  them, 
0!  give  Him  glory  for  evermore! 


348  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

44  P.  M. 

H  OS  ANNA  to  Jesus!  I'm  fill'd  with  his  praises! 
Come,  oh  my  dear  brethren,  and  help  me  to 
sing; 
No  theme  is  so  charming,  no  love  is  so  warming — 
It  gives  joy  and  gladness,  and  comfort  within. 

2  Hosanna  is  ringing;  Pm  happy  while  singing 
And  shouting  the  praises  of  Jesus's  name! 
The  angels  in  glory  repeat  the  glad  story 

Of  Jesus's  love  which  is  made  known  to  men. 

3  Hosanna  to  Jesus,  who  died  to  redeem  us! 
I'll  serve  him  and  love  him  wherever  I  go; 
He's  now  gone  to  heaven :  the  Spirit  he's  given 
To  quicken  and  comfort  his  children  below. 

4  Hosanna  for  ever !  His  grace,  like  a  river, 
Is  rising  and  spreading  all  over  the  land ; 
His  love  is  unbounded — to  all  is  extended ; 
And  sinners  are  feeling  the  heavenly  flame. 

5  Hosanna  to  Jesus!  my  soul  how  it  pleases 
To  see  sinners  falling  and  crying  to  God ; 

Then  shouting  and  praising,  they  cry,  "  'Tis  amaz- 
ing! 
We've  found  peace  and  pardon  in  Jesus's  blood." 

6  Hosanna  is  ringing ;  hark  how  they  are  singing ! 
"All  glory  to  Jesus,  we've  tasted  his  love." 

The  KINGDOM  OF  HEAVEN  to  mortals  is  given, 
And    rolls   through   my   soul   from    the    mansions 
above. 

7  Hosanna  to  Jesus !  my  soul  feels  him  precious  ; 
In  bright  beams  of  glory,  he  comes  from  above. 
My  heart  is  now  glowing ;  I  feel  his  love  flowing: 
I'm  sure  that  my  Jesus  I  really  do  love. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD,  349 

8  Hosanna  is  ringing ;  the  saints  now  are  singing, 
And  marching  to  glory  in  bright  royal  bands: 
Come  on,  my  dear  brethren,  and  press  onward  with 

them, 
For  Jesus  invites  us  with  crowns  in  his  hands. 

9  Hosanna  to  Jesus!  My  soul  sweetly  rises; 
I'll  soon  be  transported  to  a  happier  clime, 
Where  I  shall  behold  him — adore  him  forever, 
And  through  his  own  glory  eternally  shine. 

45  R  M.* 

HAT  a  wonder  of  mercy  is  this' 


w 


What  a  heaven  of  rapturous  bliss! 
That  a  sinner  like  me 
Should  from  sin  be  set  free. 
By  the  blood  that  was  shed  on  the  tree. 

What  a  wand'rer  from  God  I  have  been! 
What  a  lover  of  folly  and  sin! 

I  have  fought  against  love : 

And  with  light  from  above, 
To  accomplish  my  ruin  I  strove. 

What  a  merciful  Father  I  have! 
Even  Jesus  !  almighty  to  save 

From  my  sins ;  as  I  lay 

In  the  mire  and  the  clay, 
From  the  pit  he  hath  caught  me  away. 

What  a  Saviour,  Redeemer,  and  King! 
What  a  song  he  hath  taught  me  to  sing ! 

Hallelujah,  I  cry, 

He  hath  set  me  on  high  ; 
O  he  saved  me  when  ready  to  die ! 

*  Minstrel  of  Zion,  page  53. 


350  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

5  What  a  joy  in  my  bosom  doth  roll  f 
'Tis  the  kingdom  of  God  in  my  soul ! 

What  a  hope  in  my  breast, 
'Tis  the  heavenly  rest, 
Which  I  longM  to  enjoy  with  the  blest. 

6  What  a  wonder  of  mercy  it  is ! 
What  a  rapture  !   a  heaven  of  bliss ! 

Hallelujah !  again ! 
Hallelujah  !  amen! 
I  am  saved  through  the  Lamb  that  was  slain. 

46  P.M.     4,  ll's. 

O  JESUS,  my  Saviour,  I  know  thou  art  mine; 
For  thee  all  the  pleasures  of  earth  I  resign  : 
Thou  art  my  rich  treasure,  my  joy  and  my  love ; 
Nothing  richer  possessed  by  the  angels  above. 

2  Thy  spirit  first  taught  me  to  know  I  was  blind. 
Then  taught  me  the  way  of  salvation  to  find  ; 
And  when  I  was  sinking  in  gloomy  despair, 

My  Jesus  relievM  me,  and  bid  me  not  fear. 

3  In  vain  I  attempt  to  describe  what  I  feel; 
The  language  of  mortals  here  ever  must  fail: 
My  Jesus  is  precious,  my  soul's  in  a  flame. 
And  the  kingdom  of  heaven  I  feel  in  his  name. 

4  I  find  him  in  singing,  he  is  present  in  prayer. 
In  sweet  meditation  he  always  is  near; 

My  constant  companion^  may  we  never  part ; 
All  glory  to  Jesus,  he  dwells  in  my  heart. 

5  I  know  I  do  love  thee,  yes  now,  my  dear  Lord ; 
I  love  thy  dear  children,  thy  ways  and  thy  word; 
I  love  all  creation,  I  love  sinners  too. 

Since  Jesus  has  died  to  redeem  them  from  wo. 

6  When  happy  in  Jesus,  I  cannot  forbear. 
Though  sinners  despise  me,  his  love  to  declare ; 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD. 

His  love  overwhelms  me — 0  that  I  could  fly, 
And  praise  him  in  mansions  prepared  on  high. 

47  c.  M. 

SALVATION!  0  the  joyful  sound! 
What  pleasure  to  our  ears ! 
A  sovereign  balm  for  every  wound, 

A  cordial  for  our  fears. 
Glory ^  honor,  praise,  and  power, 
Be  unto  the  Lamb  for  ever! 
Jesus  Christ  is  our  Redeemer  ! 
Hallelujah  !  praise  the  Lord  ! 

2  Salvation  !  with  its  joys,  are  come ; 

Our  souls  are  wash'd  from  sin; 
Jesus,  our  God,  has  brought  us  home — 
His  kingdom  is  within ! 

3  Salvation !  let  the  echo  fly 

The  spacious  earth  around, 

While  all  the  armies  of  the  sky 

Conspire  to  raise  the  sound. 

4  Salvation!  0  thou  bleeding  Lamb! 

To  thee  the  praise  belongs: 
Salvation  shall  inspire  our  hearts, 
And  dwell  upon  our  tongues. 


351 


48 


p.  M.     11,  9,  11,  9. 


HOW  happy  are  they 
Who  their  Saviour  obey, 
And  have  laid  up  their  treasures  above ! 
Tongue  cannot  express 
The  sweet  comfort  and  peace 
Of  a  soul  in  its  earliest  love ! 


352  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

CHORUS. 

Glory  be  to  Jesus!  Glory  be  to  Jesus! 

Come  with  us,  come  with  us, 

Come  with  us  in  love ! 
And  we'll  all  march  together 

To  heaven  above. 

2  That  comfort  is  mine, 
For  the  favor  divine 

I  have  found  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb ; 

O!  my  heart  now  believes, 

0 !  the  joy  it  receives  ! 
What  a  heaven  in  Jesus's  name  t 

3  'Tis  "  THE  kingdom"  below 
My  Redeemer  to  know ; 

The  angels  can  do  nothing  more 

Than  to  fall  at  his  feet, 

And  the  story  repeat. 
And  the  lover  of  sinners  adore. 

4  Jesus  all  the  day  long 
Is  my  joy  and  my  song: 

0  that  all  his  salvation  might  see ! 

0,  sinners,  draw  nigh! 

He  did  suffer  and  die. 
To  redeem  you,  and  set  your  souls  free. 

5  On  the  wings  of  his  love, 
I  am  carried  above 

All  sin,  and  temptation,  and  pain ; 
I  could  not  believe 
That  my  soul  should  receive 

Such  joy  in  my  Jesus's  name. 

6  0  the  rapturous  height 
Of  that  holy  delight 

Which  I  feel  in  the  life-giving  blood! 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  353 

Of  my  Saviour  possess'd, 
I  am  perfectly  bless'd, 
As  if  fiird  with  the  fullness  of  God! 


49 


S.  M. 


[/^  OME,  we  that  love  the  Lord, 
V^'     And  let  our  joys  be  known ; 
Join  in  a  song  with  sweet  accord, 
And  thus  surround  the  throne. 

2  The  sorrows  of  the  mind 

Be  banish'd  from  this  place: 
Religion  never  was  design'd 
To  make  our  pleasures  less.] 

3  Let  those  object  to  sing 

That  never  knew  our  God, 
But  fav'rites  of  the  heavenly  King 
May  shout  their  joys  abroad. 

4  Jesus,  that  rules  on  high, 

And  thunders  when  he  please. 
That  rides  upon  the  stormy  sky, 
And  manages  the  seas — 

5  This  awful  God  is  ours, 

Our  Father  and  our  love; 
He  will  send  down  his  heavenly  powers 
To  carry  us  above. 

6  There  shall  we  see  his  face, 

And  never,  never  sin  ; 
There,  from  the  rivers  of  his  grace, 
Drink  endless  pleasures  in. 

7  And  as  we  onward  roll 

To  that  immortal  state, 
God's  kingdom  set  up  in  the  soul 
Does  constant  joys  create. 


354  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

8  Christ's  children  here  have  found 

Glory  begun  below : 
Celestial  fruits  on  earthly  ground, 
From  faith  and  hope  do  grow. 

9  [The  hill  of  Sion  yields 

A  thousand  sacred  sweets, 
Before  we  reach  the  heavenly  fields, 
Or  walk  the  golden  streets. 

10  Then  let  our  songs  abound. 
And  every  tear  be  dry  ; 
We're  marching  through  Immanuel's  ground. 
To  fairer  worlds  on  high.] 

50  P.M.     ll's. 

COME,  brethren  and  sisters,  that  love  my  dear 
Lord, 
Chorus —  0  there  is  rest,  there  is  rest. 

1  pray  give  attention  and  ear  to  my  word ; 

Chorus —  0  there  is  rest,  there  is  rest. 
What  a  wonder  of  mercy  behold  now  I  see ! 
What  a  tender,  kind  Saviour  has  done  for  poor  me. 

(Repeat  the  last  line,  and  then  the  chorus — ) 
O  there  is  rest,  there  is  rest. 

2  I  was  led  by  the  devil,  till,  lost  and  distress'd, 
I  thought  that  in  torments  I  soon  should  be  cast ; 
No  peace  to  my  conscience,  but  all  misery. 

Till  by  faith  I  saw  Jesus  hang  bleeding  for  me. 

3  O  sinner,  said  Jesus,  for  you  I  have  died ; 
All  glory  to  Jesus,  my  soul  then  replied: 

The  guilt  was  removed,  my  soul  did  rejoice — 
The  blood  was  applied,  the  witness  and  voice. 

4  On  my  low  bended  knees  before  Him  I  did  fall, 
All  glory  to  Jesus,  who  is  God  over  all ; 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  355 

The  heart  of  his  rebel  was  bursted  in  twain 
To  see  my  dear  Jesus  on  Calvary  slain. 

5  There  was  peace  now  in  heaven,  and  peace  upon 

earth — 
The  angels  rejoice  at  a  poor  sinner's  birth ; 
Your  sins  are  forgiven,  my  Saviour  did  say — 

Oh,  witness,  kind  Heaven,  on  this  my  birth-day. 

6  My  soul  it  was  humbled,  I  fell  to  the  ground; 
The  time  of  refreshing  at  length  I  have  found; 

0    Lord,   thou   hast   ravish 'd    my    soul    with   thy 

charms — 
Let  me  die,  like  old  Simeon,  with  Christ  in  my 

arms. 

51  P.  M. 

AWAKE,  my  soul,  in  joyful  lays. 
And  sing  thy  great  Redeemer's  praise; 
He  justly  claims  a  song  from  me  ; 
His  loving-kindness,  O  how  free ! 
Chorus. — His  loving-kindness, 
Loving-kindness, 
His  loving-kindness,  0  how  free! 

2  He  saw  me  ruined  by  the  fall. 
Yet  loved  me  notwithstanding  all ; 
He  sav'd  me  from  my  lost  estate  : 
His  loving-kindness,  O  how  great! 

3  Though  numerous  hosts  of  mighty  foes. 
Though  earth  and  hell,  my  way  oppose, 
He  safely  leads  my  soul  along : 

His  loving-kindness,  0  how  strong! 

4  When  trouble,  like  a  gloomy  cloud, 
Has  gather'd  thick,  and  thunder'd  loud, 
He  near  my  soul  has  always  stood: 
His  loving-kindness,  0  how  good ! 


356  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

5  Often  I  feel  my  wayward  heart 
Prone  from  my  Jesus  to  depart ; 
But  though  I  him  have  oft  forgot, 
His  loving-kindness  changes  not. 

6  Soon  shall  I  pass  this  sinful  vale ; 
Soon  all  my  mortal  powers  must  fail ; 
O  !  may  my  last  expiring  breath 
His  loving-kindness  sing  in  death. 

7  Then  let  me  mount  and  soar  away 
To  the  bright  world  of  endless  day, 
And  sing  with  rapture  as  I  rise 
His  loving-kindness  in  the  skies. 

52  c.  M. 

MY  God !  the  spring  of  all  my  joys, 
The  life  of  my  delights, 
The  glory  of  my  brightest  days, 
And  comfort  of  my  nights ! 

S  In  darkest  shades,  if  thou  appear, 
My  dawning  is  begun  ! 
Thou  art  my  soul's  sweet  morning  star, 
And  thou  my  rising  sun. 

3  The  op'ning  heavens  within  me  shine 

With  joy  and  sacred  bliss. 
While  Jesus  shows  his  kingdom's  mine, 
And  tells  me  "I  am  his !" 

4  My  soul  w^ould  leave  this  heavy  clay 

At  his  transporting  word. 
Run  up  with  joy  the  shining  way 
T'  adore  my  dearest  Lord. 

5  Fearless  of  hell  and  ghastly  death, 

I'd  break  through  every  foe  ; 
The  wings  of  love,  and  arms  of  faith. 
Would  bear  me  conqu'ror  through. 


53 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  357 


L.  M. 


[ESUS  !  and  shall  it  ever  be 
I    A  mortal  man  ashamed  of  thee! 
Ashamed  of  thee,  whom  angels  praise, 
Whose  glories  shine  through  endless  days ! 
Chorus. — 0  Jesus  !  Jesus !  is  my  friend  ! 

0  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 

Jesus,  Jesus,  is  my  friend. 

Asham'd  of  Jesus  !  sooner  far 
Let  evening  blush  to  own  a  star : 
He  shed  the  beams  of  light  divine 
O'er  this  benighted  soul  of  mine. 

Asham'd  of  Jesus!  just  as  soon 
Let  midnight  be  asham'd  of  noon ; 
'Tis  midnight  with  my  soul  till  he. 
Bright  Morning  Star,  bids  darkness  flee. 

Asham'd  of  Jesus!  that  dear  friend 
On  whom  my  hopes  of  heaven  depend  I 
No,  when  I  blush — be  this  my  shame, 
That  I  no  more  revere  his  name. 

Asham'd  of  Jesus  !  yes,  we  may 
When  there's  no  guilt  to  wash  away, 
No  tears  to  wipe,  no  good  to  crave, 
No  fears  to  quell,  no  soul  to  save. 

Asham'd  of  Jesus!  0  he'll  come 
Enthron'd  in  glory  !  day  of  doom  ! 
Then  blood-bought  souls  who  felt  no  shame, 
In  robes  of  light,  shall  praise  his  name. 

Till  then — nor  is  my  boasting  vain, 
Till  then  I  boast  a  Saviour  slain  ; 
And  O  may  this  my  glory  be. 
That  He  is  not  asham'd  of  me. 


358  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR      * 

54  c.  M. 

How  sweet  the  name  of  Jesus  sounds 
In  a  believer'* s  ear ! 
It  soothes  his  sorrows,  heals  his  wounds, 
And  drives  away  his  fear. 

2  It  makes  the  w^ounded  spirit  whole. 

And  calms  the  troubled  breast  ; 
'Tis  manna  to  the  hungry  soul. 
And  to  the  weary,  rest. 

3  Dear  name  !  the  Rock  on  which  I  build ; 

My  shield  and  hiding  place  ; 
My  never-failing  treasury,  fill'd 
With  boundless  stores  of  grace. 

4  With  thee  my  prayers  acceptance  gain, 

Although  with  sin  defil'd ; 
Satan  accuses  me  in  vain, 
And  I  am  own'd  a  child. 

5  Jesus!  my  shepherd,  husband,  friend, 

My  prophet,  priest,  and  king ; 
My  God,  my  life,  my  way,  my  end, 
Accept  the  praise  I  bring. 

6  Weak  is  the  effort  of  my  heart. 

And  cold  my  warmest  thought; 
But  when  I  see  thee  as  thou  art, 
I'll  praise  thee  as  I  ought. 

7  Till  then  I  would  thy  love  proclaim 

With  every  fleeting  breath  : 
And  may  thy  holy,  holy  name 
Refresh  my  soul  in  death, 

55  P.  M.     8's  and  7's. 

COME,  thou  Fount  of  every  blessing, 
Tune  my  heart  to  sing  thy  grace : 


.  THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  359 

Streams  of  mercy,  never  ceasing, 
Call  for  songs  of  loudest  praise. 

Teach  me  some  melodious  sonnet, 
Sung  by  flaming  tongues  above: 

Praise  the  mount — I'm  fix'd  upon  it ; 
Mount  of  thy  redeeming  love  ! 

2  Here  I'll  raise  mine  Ebenezer, 

Hither  by  thy  help  I'm  come  ; 
And  I  hope,  by  thy  good  pleasure, 

Safely  to  arrive  at  home. 
Thou  didst  seek  me  when  a  stranger, 

Wand 'ring  from  thy  fold,  0  God  ; 
Thou,  to  rescue  me  from  danger. 

Interposed  thy  precious  blood  ! 

3  0  !  to  grace  how  great  a  debtor 

Daily  I'm  constrain'd  to  be  ! 
Let  thy  goodness,  like  a  fetter. 

Bind  all  wand'ring  hearts  to  thee  : 
Rock  of  ages!  Lord,  I  feel  it. 

Sure  foundation  none  can  move, 
Keep  my  heart,  for  thou  hast  seal'd  it, 

Seal'd  it  with  thy  dying  love. 

56  c.  M. 

ARISE,  my  soul,  my  joyful  powers. 
And  triumph  in  my  God ; 
Awake,  my  voice,  and  loud  proclaim 
I'm  purchased  with  his  blood. 

2  He  rais'd  me  from  the  depths  of  sin, 

The  gates  of  gaping  hell, 
And  fix'd  my  standing  more  secure 
Than  'twas  before  man  fell. 

3  The  arms  of  everlasting  love 

Beneath  my  soul  he  placed, 


360  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

And  on  himself,  Eternal  Rock, 
Secured  my  footsteps  fast. 

4  The  city  of  my  blest  abode 

Is  wall'd  around  with  grace : 
Salvation  for  a  bulwark  stands 
To  shield  the  sacred  place. 

5  Satan  may  vent  his  sharpest  spite. 

And  all  his  legions  roar ; 
Almighty  Jesus  guards  my  life, 
And  bounds  his  raging  power. 

6  Arise,  my  soul,  awake,  my  voice, 

And  tunes  of  rapture  sing ; 
Loud  hallelujahs  shall  address 
Jesus,  my  God  and  King! 


57 


s 


p.  M.     4  lines  Vs. 

ONS  of  God,  triumphant  rise! 
Shout  th'  accomplish'd  sacrifice  ! 
Shout  your  sins  in  Christ  forgiven. 
Sons  of  God,  and  heirs  of  heaven! 

2  Shouts  of  praise  to  you  belong; 
Listening  angels!  join  the  song; 
Sing  with  us,  ye  heavenly  powers, 
Pardon,  grace,  and  glory  ours ! 

3  Love's  mysterious  work  is  done  ; 
Greet  we  now  th'  atoning  Son  ; 
Heal'd  and  quicken'd  by  his  blood, 
Join'd  to  Christ,  our  Lord  and  God. 

4  Him  within  we  taste  below, 
Mightier  joys  ordain'd  to  know, 
When  his  utmost  grace  we  prove, 
Rise  to  heaven  by  perfect  love. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  361 

58  L.  M. 

JESUS,  my  all,  to  heaven  is  gone ; 
Chorus. —  Glory!  Hallelujah! 
He  whom  my  soul  now  rests  upon  ; 
Glory!  Hallelujah! 
Chorus. —  0  children,  praise  him  ! 
O  children,  praise  him  ! 
O  children,  praise  him  ! 
He  is  your  Father,  God  ! 
He  is  my  way,  and  I'll  pursue 
This  holy  way  till  him  I  view. 

2  The  way  the  holy  prophets  went. 
The  road  that  leads  from  banishment, 
The  King's  highway  of  holiness, 

I'll  go,  for  all  his  paths  are  peace. 

3  This  is  the  way  I  long  have  sought, 
And  mourn'd  because  I  found  it  not ; 
My  grief  a  burden  oft  has  been. 
Because  I  was  not  saved  from  sin. 

4  The  more  I  strove  against  his  power, 
I  felt  my  load  and  guilt  the  more ; 
'Till  late  I  heard  my  Saviour  say. 
Come  hither,  soul,  ''  I  am  the  way." 

5  Lo!  glad  I  come — and  thou,  blest  Lamb, 
Shalt  take  me  to  thee,  whose  I  am ; 
Nothing  but  sin  have  I  to  give. 
Nothing  but  love  shall  I  receive. 

6  And  now  I  tell  to  sinners  round, 
What  a  dear  Saviour  I  have  found; 
I  point  to  thy  redeeming  blood. 
And  cry,  "Behold  the  way  to  God!" 
26 


362  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

59  c.  M. 

JESUS,  my  portion  and  my  love, 
My  everlasting  all, 
I've  none  but  thee  in  heaven  above. 
Or  on  this  earthly  ball. 

2  What  empty  things  are  all  the  skies, 

And  this  inferior  clod? 
There's  nothing  here  deserves  my  joys. 
There's  none  like  thee,  my  God. 

3  In  vain  the  bright,  the  burning  sun. 

Scatters  his  feeble  light ; 
'Tis  Thy  sweet  beams  create  my  noon, 
Shouldst  thou  withdraw,  'tis  night. 

4  And  if  upon  a  restless  bed, 

Among  the  shades  we  roll, 
The  dear  Redeemer  shows  his  head, 
'Tis  morning  with  the  soul. 

5  To  thee  I  owe  my  wealth,  and  friends. 

And  health,  and  safe  abode : 
Thanks  to  thy  name  for  meaner  things ; 
There's  none  like  thee,  my  God. 

The  Christian'^ s  Refuge, 

60  p.  M.     8  lines  7's. 

JESUS,  lover  of  my  soul. 
Let  me  to  thy  bosom  fly, 
While  the  nearer  waters  roll. 

While  the  tempest  still  is  high ; 
Hide  me,  0  my  iSaviour,  hide. 

Till  the  storm  of  life  is  past; 
Safe  into  the  haven  guide — 
O  receive  my  soul  at  last ! 


61 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  363 

Other  refuge  have  I  none, 

Hangs  my  helpless  soul  on  thee; 
Leave,  ah  !  leave  me  not  alone — 

Still  support  and  comfort  me ! 
All  my  trust  on  thee  is  stay'd, 

All  my  help  from  thee  I  bring ; 
Cover  my  defenceless  head 

With  the  shadow  of  thy  wing. 

Jesus!  thou  art  all  I  want ; 

More  than  all  in  thee  I  find : 
Raise  the  fallen,  cheer  the  faint. 

Heal  the  sick,  and  lead  the  blind. 
Just  and  holy  is  thy  name  ; 

I  am  all  unrighteousness ; 
False,  and  full  of  sin  I  am, 

Thou  art  full  of  truth  and  grace. 

Plenteous  grace  with  thee  is  found, 

Grace  to  cover  all  my  sin: 
Let  the  healing  streams  abound, 

Keep,  0  keep  me  pure  within  : 
Thou  of  Life  the  fountain  art ; 

Freely  let  me  take  of  thee: 
Spring  thou  up  within  my  heart, 

Rise  to  all  eternity  ! 


S.  M. 
FESUS,  my  life,  my  love, 
P      To  thee,  to  thee  I  call: 
I  cannot  live  if  thou  remove, 

For  thou  art  all  in  all. 
The  smilings  of  thy  face, 

How  amiable  they  are  ! 
'Tis  heaven  to  rest  in  thine  embrace, 

And  nowhere  else  but  there. 


364  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

3  Nor  earth,  nor  all  the  sky, 

Can  one  delight  afford  ; 
No,  not  a  drop  of  real  joy, 
Without  thy  presence,  Lord. 

4  Thou  art  the  sea  of  love. 

Where  all  my  pleasures  roll : 
The  circle  where  my  passions  move^ 
And  centre  of  my  soul. 

5  [To  thee  my  spirits  fly 

With  infinite  desire  : 
0  let  me  on  thy  bosom  lie! 
Dear  Jesus,  raise  me  higher. 


63 

A 


C.  M. 

Mia  soldier  of  the  cross, 

A  follower  of  the  Lamb? 
And  shall  I  fear  to  own  his  cause, 

Or  blush  to  speak  his  name  ? 

2  Must  I  be  carried  to  the  skies 

On  flowery  beds  of  ease. 
While  others  fought  to  win  the  prize^ 
And  sail'd  through  bloody  seas? 

3  Are  there  no  foes  for  me  to  face  ? 

Must  I  not  stem  the  flood  ? 
Is  this  vile  world  a  friend  to  grace, 
To  help  me  on  to  God? 

4  Sure  I  must  fight,  if  I  would  win; 

Increase  my  courage.  Lord ; 
I'll  bear  the  toil,  endure  the  pain, 
Supported  by  thy  word, 

5  Thy  saints  in  all  this  glorious  Avar 

Shall  conquer,  though  they  die  ; 


w 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  365 

They  see  the  triumph  from  afar, 
By  faith  they  bring  it  nigh. 

6  When  that  illustrious  day  shall  rise, 
And  all  thy  armies  shine 
In  robes  of  victory  through  the  skies, 
The  glory  shall  be  thine. 

g3  P.  M.     77,  87,  77,  87. 

ORSHIP,  and  thanks,  and  blessing. 
And  strength,  ascribe  to  Jesus! 
Jesus  alone  defends  his  own 

When  earth  and  hell  oppress  us. 
Jesus  with  joy  we  witness, 

Almighty  to  deliver; 
Our  seals  set  to  that  He  is  true, 

And  reigns  a  King  for  ever. 

2  Omnipotent  Redeemer, 
Our  ransom'd  souls  adore  thee  ; 

Our  Saviour  thou,  we  find  it  now. 

And  give  thee  all  the  glory. 
We  sing  thine  arm  unshortenM, 

Brought  through  our  sore  temptation : 
With  heart  and  voice  in  thee  rejoice. 

The  God  of  our  salvation ! 

3  Thine  arm  hath  safely  brought  us 
A  way  no  more  expected 

Than  when  thy  sheep  pass'd  through  the  deep, 

By  crystal  walls  protected. 
Thy  glory  was  our  rereward. 

Thy  hand  our  lives  did  cover, 
And  we,  even  we,  have  pass'd  the  sea, 

And  march'd  triumphant  over ! 

4  Thy  kingdom's  now  within  us. 
And  we  shall  never  perish ; 


366  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

Made  sons  of  God,  thou  wilt  us  keep, 
And  thy  own  sheep  will  cherish. 

We  clap  our  hands  exulting 
In  thine  Almighty  favor : 

Thy  Love  Divine,  which  made  us  thine. 
Can  keep  us  thine  forever. 

64  ^-  M- 

JESUS,  into  thy  hands  I  fall, 
And  thee  with  arms  of  faith  embrace ; 

0  King  of  Glory !  thou  my  all  f 

Hast  sav'd  me,  heaPd  me  by  thy  grace  t 
Now  righteous  through  thy  grace  I  am ; 
No  condemnation  no^w  I  dread ; 

1  taste  salvation  in  thy  name ; 

Alive  in  thee,  my  living  head. 

2  Still  let  thy  wisdom  be  my  guide. 

Nor  take  thy  flight  from  me  away  ; 
Still  with  me  let  thyself  abide. 

That  I  from  thee  may  never  stray. 
Let  thy  word  richly  in  me  dwell ; 

Thy  peace  and  love  my  portion  be : 
My  joy  t'  endure  and  do  thy  will 

Till  perfect  I  am  found  in  thee. 

3  Arm  me  with  thy  whole  armor.  Lord  f 

Support  my  weakness  with  thy  might  f 
Gird  on  my  thigh  thy  conqu'ring  sword, 

And  shield  me  in  the  threatening  fight : 
From  faith  to  faith,  from  grace  to  grace, 

So  in  thy  strength  shall  I  go  on  ; 
Till  heaven  and  earth  flee  from  thy  face. 

And  glory  end  what  grace  begun. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  367 

65  P-  M-* 

PRAY,  brethren,  pray ! 
The  prayer  of  faith  availeth ; 
Pray,  brethren,  pray! 

On  Christ  your  spirits  stay. 

Chorus. 
A  few  more  days  of  warfare, 
And  the  Lord  will  call  us  home, 
To  walk  the  golden  streets 
Of  the  Kew  Jerusalem, 

2  Sing,  brethren,  sing! 

Rejoice  with  joy  and  gladness ; 
Sing,  brethren,  sing! 

Your  songs  of  triumph  bring. 
Chorus. 

3  Rise,  brethren,  risef 

Your  souls  by  faith  ascending; 
Rise,  brethren,  rise! 

Your  home  is  in  the  skies. 

4  Home,  brethren,  home! 

That  home  is  pure  and  holy ; 
Home,  brethren,  home ! 
No  evil  there  can  come. 

5  Come,  brethren,  come! 

We'll  travel  on  together  ; 
Come,  brethren,  come! 

We're  on  our  journey  home. 

6  Come,  sinner,  too! 

Christ  came  to  save  poor  sinners  ; 

*  For  hymn  and  tune,  see  Minstrel  of  Zion,  page  30. 


368  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

Come,  sinner,  too ! 

The  message  is  to  you. 

Oh  wait  not  for  to-morrow  ! 
For  to-morrow  may  not  come  ; 
Repent,  and  come  with  us 
To  the  JYew  Jerusalem, 

66  p.  M.* 

WHY  wanderest  thou  so  far  from  home? 
Fly  to  Jesus! 
The  vilest  of  the  vile  may  come : 
Fly  to  Jesus! 

CHORUS. 

To  the  Saviour  Jiy — To  his  shielding  breast — 

Fly  to  Jesus  ! 
Lay  thy  burden  there — He  will  give  thee  rest; 

Fly  to  Jesus  ! 

2  The  tempter  whispers,  "yet  delay:" 

Fly  to  Jesus  ! 
Resist  his  wiles,  and  come  to-day ; 
Fly  to  Jesus! 

3  To-day  thy  homeward  pathway  trace; 

Fly  to  Jesus  ! 
Long  hast  thou  toil'd  in  folly's  ways; 
Fly  to  Jesus  ! 

4  Thy  toils  have  only  brought  thee  woes ; 

Fly  to  Jesus  ! 
O  !  tarry  not — the  door  may  close; 
Fly  to  Jesus  ! 

5  Come,  feast  on  joys  divinely  pure : 

Fly  to  Jesus  ! 

Come,  and  Eternal  Life  secure; 

Fly  to  Jesus  ! 

*  Minstrel  of  Zion. 


67 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  369 


P.M. 


OUR  kindred  dear  to  heav'n  have  gone, 
We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory ; 
They  landed  safe — we'll  follow  on 
To  meet  our  friends  in  glory. 

CHORUS. 

We^re  marching  to  glory  ! 
We^re  marchivg  to  glory  ! 
We^re  marching  to  glory  ! 
To  meet  our  friends  in  glory  ! 
We'^re  on  our  way  to  Paradise, 
To  meet  our  friends  in  glory, 

2  Like  us  they  had  their  cares  and  fears, 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory! 

Like  us  they  shed  affliction's  tears  ; 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory! 

3  They  had  to  fight  their  passage  through. 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory! 
But  conquer'd,  as  we  soon  shall  do. 
And  meet  our  friends  in  glory! 

4  Now  they  are  shining,  bright  and  fair. 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory! 

Victorious  palms  with  joy  they  bear ; 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory ! 

5  Safe  housed  in  their  eternal  home. 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory ! 
They  wait  till  we  with  songs  shall  come; 
We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory ! 

6  [How  happy  they,  from  sorrow  free ! 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory ! 
And  such  our  happiness  shall  be  ; 
We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory! 

♦   Minstrel  gf  Zion, 


370  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

7  How  bright  the  crowns  their  temples  bear! 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory ! 

Like  crowns  for  us  are  waiting  there ; 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory ! 

8  What  robes  they  wear  before  the  throne, 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory  ! 

Such  glorious  robes  shall  be  our  own ; 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory! 

9  What  harps  of  gold  they  all  employ. 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory! 
Such  harps  our  hands  shall  strike  with  joy; 
We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory ! 

10  What  notes  divine  are  on  their  tongues, 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory ! 
And  raise  with  them  our  rapturous  songs; 
To  Jesus — God  of  glory ! 

11  How  green  the  fields  o'er  which  they  rove. 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory! 
And  range  with  them  those  fields  above ; 
We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory! 

12  The  hills  and  vales  and  groves  are  fair. 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory! 
And  live  with  them  forever  there ; 
We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory !] 

13  And  oh!  there  dwells  our  ONE  great  Friend! 

We'll  meet  that  Friend  in  glory! 

And  with  him  endless  ages  spend  ; 

We'll  meet  that  Friend  in  glory! 

14  Jesus,  our  God,  ascended  there 

(He  is  that  Friend  in  glory!) 
Our  heavenly  mansion  to  prepare  ; 
W^e'll  meet  that  Friend  in  glory! 

15  And  now  in  one  united  band, 

We'll  raeet  our  friends  in  glory! 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  371 

We're  marching  forward,  heart  and  hand, 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory  ! 
16  Though  rough  the  way,  'twill  soon  be  past ; 

We'll  meet  our  friends  in  glory! 
And  share  their  blissful  home  at  last, 

Through  Jesus,  "  God  of  glory!" 

68  p.  M.* 

XX7E  are  bound  for  the  land  of  the  pure  and  the 
¥▼     holy; 

Our  souls  have  been  blest  with  the  kingdom  of 
God: 
Ye  wanderers  from  God,  in  the  broad  road  of  folly, 
Come  with  us!  and  go  to  the  Eden  above. 
Will  you  go?     Will  you  go? 
Oh!  say,  will  you  go  to  the  Eden  above. 

2  In  that  blessed  land  neither  sighing  nor  anguish 

Can  breathe  in  the  fields  where  the  glorified  rove ; 
Ye  heart-burden'd  ones  who  in  misery  languish, 
Come  with  us,  and  go  to  the  Eden  above. 
Will  you  go?  &c. 

3  Nor  fraud,  nor  deceit,  nor  the  hand  of  oppression 

Can  injure  the  dwellers  in  that  holy  grove; 
No  wickedness  there — not  a  shade  of  transgres- 
sion— 
Come  with  us,  and  go  to  the  Eden  above. 
Will  you  go  ?  &c. 

4  No     poverty    there ; — no,   the    saints    are     all 

wealthy, 
The  heirs  of  His  glory  whose  nature  is  love ; 
Nor  sickness   can  reach  them — that  country  is 
healthy ; 
Come  with  us,  and  go  to  the  Eden  above. 
Will  you  go  ?  &c. 

*  Minstrel  of  Zion. 


372 

5  Each  saint  has  a  mansion  prepared  and  all  fur- 

nished, 
Ere  from  this  clay  house  he  is  summoned  to 
move ; 
Its  gates  and  its  towers  with  glory  are  burnish'd ; 
Come  with  us,  and  go  to  the  Eden  above. 
Will  you  go  ?  &c. 

6  March  on,  happy  pilgrims — that  land  is  before 

you. 
And  soon  its  ten  thousand  delights  we  shall 
prove ; 
Yes,  soon  we  shall  walk  o'er  the  hills  of  bright 
glory* 
And  drink  the  pure  joys  of  the  Eden  above. 

We  will  go:  &c. 
Oh !  yes,  we  will  go  to  the  Eden  above. 

7  Andyet,  guilty  sinner,  we  would  not  forsake  thee — 

We  halt  yet  a  moment,  as  onward  we  move ; 
Come  unto  Jesus — in  his  arms  he  will  take  thee. 
And  bear  thee  along  to  the  Eden  above : 

Will  you  go?  &c. 
Oh !  say,  will  you  go  to  the  Eden  above  ? 

8  Methinks  thou  art  now  in  thy  wretchedness  say- 

Oh !  who  can  this  guilt  from  my  conscience 
remove  ? 
No  other  than  Jesus ;  then  come  to  him  praying, 
"Prepare  me,  O  Lord,  for  the  Eden  above." 

W^ill  you  go?  &c. 
At  last,  will  you  go  to  the  Eden  above? 

g9  P.  M.     7's  and  6's. 


o 


WHEN  shall  I  see  Jesus, 
And  dwell  with  him  above, 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD. 

To  drink  the  flowing  fountains 

Of  everlasting  love  ? 
When  shall  I  be  deliver'd 

From  this  vain  world  of  sin, 
And  with  my  blessed  Jesus 

Drink  endless  pleasures  in? 

But  now  I  am  a  soldier, 

My  captain's  gone  before — 
He's  given  me  my  orders. 

And.  tells  me  not  to  fear; 
To  his  elect  and  chosen 

A  crow^n  of  life  he  gives; 
His  kingdom  builds  within  them, 

"  Eternal  Life"  there  lives. 

Through  grace.  Lam  determin'd 

To  conquer,  though  I  die  ; 
And  then  away  to  Jesus, 

On  wings  of  love  I'll  fly : 
Farewell  to  sin  and  sorrow, 

I  bid  them  all  adieu ; 
And  you,  my  friends  in  Jesus, 

Your  heav'nly  way  pursue. 

:  0  do  not  be  discourag'd. 

For  Jesus  is  your  friend; 
And  if  you  lack  for  wisdom. 

He'll  not  refuse  to  lend ; 
Neither  will  he  upbraid  you. 

Though  often  you  implore ; 
He'll  give  you  grace  to  conquer, 

And  joy  forevermore. 

)  And  if  you  meet  with  troubles. 
And  trials  on  the  w^ay. 
Then  cast  your  care  on  Jesus, 
And  don't  forget  to  pray. 


373 


374  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

Gird  on  the  heavenly  armor 
Of  faith,  and  hope,  and  love ; 

And  when  your  race  is  ended, 
You'll  joy  in  him  above. 

•JQ  P.  M.     9's  and  8's. 

CHRISTIAN!  the  morn  breaks  sweetly  o'er  thee. 
And  all  the  midnight  shadows  flee ; 
Tinged  are  the  distant  skies  with  glory, 
A  beacon  light  hangs  out  for  thee. 

CHORUS. 

Arise!  arise!  the  light  breaks  o'er  thee! 
Thy  name  is  written  on  the  throne ; 
Thy  home  is  in  those  worlds  of  glory. 
Where  thy  dear  Jesus  reigns  alone. 

2  Jesus  is  ever  kind  and  gracious, 

His  arm  will  lead  thee  safe  above ; 
For  thou  art  in  his  sight  most  precious, 
The  object  of  his  special  love. 

3  Tossed  on  time's  relentless  surges, 

Calmly  compos'd  and  dauntless  stand  ; 
For  lo!  beyond  those  seas  emerges 

The  height  that  bounds  the  promised  land. 

4  Christian!  behold!  the  land  is  nearing. 

Where  the  wild  sea-storm's  rage  is  o'er  : 
Hark!  how  the  heav'nly  hosts  are  cheering! 
See!  in  what  throngs  they  range  the  shore! 

5  Cheer  up  !  cheer  up!  the  day  breaks  o'er  thee 

Bright  as  the  summer's  noontide  ray; 
The  starry  crowns  !  and  realms  of  glory  ! 
Invite  thy  happy  soul  away.      , 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  375 

•yj  L.  M. 


M 


Y  dearest  friends  in  Jesus'  Love, 

Whose  hearts  the  sweetest  union  prove, 
Your  friendship's  like  a  drawing  band — 
Yet  we  must  take  the  parting  hand. 

2  Your  comp'ny's  sweet — your  union  dear — 
Your  words  delightful  to  my  ear ; 

And  when  I  find  that  we  must  part, 
They  draw  like  cords  around  my  heart. 

3  How  sweet  the  hours  have  passed  away 
Since  we  did  meet  to  sing  and  pray; 
How  loth  we've  been  to  leave  the  place 
Where  Jesus  show'd  his  smiling  face. 

4  Ye  doubting  souls,  in  faith  arise — 
Jesus  remembers  all  your  cries; 

0  trust  his  words,  and  in  that  land 
We'll  no  more  take  the  parting  hand. 

5  How  oft  we've  seen  your  flowing  tears, 
When  Jesus'  love  cast  out  your  fears ; 

The  shouts  of  praise,  the  heav'nly  showers, 
Entrancing  all  your  outward  powers. 

6  0  glorious  day,  0  blessed  hope! 

My  heart  leaps  forward  at  the  thought, 
When  in  that  happy,  happy  land. 
We'll  no  more  take  the  parting  hand. 

7  But  led  by  Jesus! — God  the  Lord! — 
We'll  shout  and  sing  with  one  accord ; 
And  there  with  him  forever  dwell. 

So,  loving  friends,  all  fare  you  well. 


376  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

Ordination  Hymn. 
^2  ^'  M.      Old  Hundred. 

JESUS,  Eternal  Son!  give  ear; 
Us  with  thy  flaming  eye  behold! 
0  sanctify  thy  Overseer,* 

And  let  his  candlestick  be  gold. 

2  Still  hold  the  stars  in  thy  right  hand, 

And  let  them  in  thy  lustre  glow — 
The  lights  of  a  benighted  land. 
The  angels  of  thy  church  below. 

3  Make  good  their  apostolic  boast — 

Their  high  commission  let  them  prove  ; 
Be  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 

And  fiird  with  faith,  and  hope,  and  love. 

4  Their  hearts  from  things  of  earth  remove ; 

Sprinkle  them,  Lord,  from  sin  and  fear ; 
Fix  their  affections  all  above. 

And  lay  up  all  their  treasures  there. 

5  Give  them  an  ear  to  hear  thy  word  ; 

Thou  speakest  to  the  churches  now: 
And  let  all  tongues  confess  thee  God ; 
Let  every  knee  to  Jesus  bow.. 

73  s.  M. 

How  beauteous  are  their  feet 
Who  stand  on  Zion's  hill! 
That  bring  salvation  on  their  tongues, 
And  words  of  peace  reveal ! 

2  How  charming  is  their  voice, 
(So  sweet  the  tidings  are) 

*  Or  Minister. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  377 

^'Zion,  behold  thy  Saviour  king! 
He  reigns  and  triumphs  here!" 

3  How  happy  are  our  ears 

That  hear  the  joyful  sound, 
Which  kings  and  prophets  waited  for, 
And  sought,  but  never  found  ! 

4  How"  blessed  are  our  eyes, 

That  see  this  heavenly  light ! 
Prophets  and  kings  desired  it  long. 
But  died  without  the  sight. 

5  The  watchmen  join  their  voice. 

And  tuneful  notes  employ; 

Jerusalem  breaks  forth  in  songs, 

And  deserts  learn  the  joy. 

6  The  Lord  makes  bare  his  arm 

ThixDugh  all  the  earth  abroad: 
Let  every  nation  now  adore 
Jesus,  the  Triune  God. 


74 


S.  M, 


PRAISE  Jesus!  the  Most  High! 
Our  peace  is  made  with  heav'n. 
Jehovah,  God,  came  down  to  die 
That  we  might  be  forgiven. 
Chorus. — Praise  ye  the  Lord,  Hallelujah!  &c. 

2  His  precious  blood  was  shed, 

His  body  bruised  for  sin : 
Remember  He  is  heav'nly  bread, 
And  He  is  heav'nly  wine. 

3  Come,  drink  this  heav'nly  blood, 

Come,  eat  this  heav'nly  bread  ; 
27 


378  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

Join  every  tongue  to  praise  our  God, 
Whose  precious  blood  was  shed. 

4  The  Triune  God,  the  Son, 

Gives  us  His  flesh  and  blood ; 
For  God  Eternal  is  but  ONE : 
And  Jesus  IS  that  God! 


75 


C.  M. 


OFOR  a  thousand  tongues  to  sing 
My  dear  Redeemer's  praise  ! 
The  glories  of  my  God  and  King, 
The  triumphs  of  his  grace ! 

2  My  gracious  Master,  and  my  God, 

Assist  me  to  proclaim. 
To  spread  through  all  the  earth  abroad" 
The  honors  of  thy  name. 

3  Jesus!  the  last  ^'new  name^^  of  God 

The  name  that  conquers  hell ; 
Our  joy  and  crown — bought  with  his  blood- 
He's  our  ImmanueL 

4  Jesus!  the  name  that  charms  our  fears. 

That  bids  our  sorrows  cease; 
'Tis  music  in  the  sinner's  ears, 
'Tis  life,  and  health,  and  peace. 

5  He  breaks  the  power  of  cancell'd  sin, 

He  sets  the  prisoner  free ; 
His  blood  can  make  the  foulest  clean; 
His  blood  avail'd  for  me. 

6  He  speaks — and,  listening  to  his  voice, 

New  life  the  dead  receive  ; 
The  mournful,  broken  hearts  rejoice; 
The  humble  poor  believe. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  379 

7  Heat  him,  ye  deaf!  his  praise,  ye  dumb, 
Your  loosen'd  tongues  employ! 
Ye  blind,  behold  your  Saviour  come, 
And  leap,  ye  lame,  for  joy* 

^76  p.  M.     10,  11,  10,  Ih 

OTELL  me  no  more  of  this  world's  vain  store, 
The  time  for  such  trifles  with  me  now  is  o'er; 
Chorus= — Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 
Hallelujah  to  the  Lamb  ! 
A  country  I've  found  where  true  joys  abound, 
'Tis  God's  holy  kingdom  within  me  I've  found. 

2  No  mortal  doth  know  what  He  can  bestow — 
What  light,  strength,  and  comfort — go  after  him,  go ; 
Lo,  onward  I  move  to  a  city  above ; 

None  guesses  how  wondrous  myjourney  will  prove. 

3  Great  spoils  I  shall  win  from  death,  hell,  and  sin, 
'Midst  outward  afflictions  shall  feel  Christ  within: 
And  when  I'm  to  die,  receive  me,  I'll  cry. 

For  Jesus  hath  loved  me,  I  cannot  tell  why. 

4  But  this  I  do  find,  we  two  are  so  join'd. 
He'll  not  live  in  glory  and  leave  me  behind: 
So  this  is  the  race  I'm  running  through  grace. 
Henceforth — till  admitted  to  see  my  Lord's  face. 

5  The  souls  that  believe  in  paradise  live. 
And  me  in  that  number  will  Jesus  receive  t 
My  soul,  don't  delay-— he  calls  thee  away; 
Rise,  follow  thy  Saviour,  and  bless  the  glad  day. 

6  And  now  I'm  in  care  my  neighbors  may  share 
These  blessings:  to  seek  them,  will  none  of  you 

dare  ? 
In  bondage,  0  why,  and  death  will  you  lie. 
When  one  here  assures  you  free  grace  is  so  nigh? 


380  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 


77 


L.  M.  Isa.  ix.  6. 

JESUS!  **the  Everlasting  God!'' 
Chorus — He  was  found  worthy. 
He  who  "alone  the  Wine-press  trod," 

He  toas  found  worthy. 

O  the  bleeding  Lamb  ! 

O  the  bleeding  Lamb  ! 

0  the  bleeding  Lamb  ! 

"  He  was  found  worthy.'''^ 
The  "God  of  Gods"  whom  we  adore, 

He  was  found  worthy. 
He  is  our  God  forevermore. 

He  loas  found  worthy,  4"c. 

2  He's  "Wonderful!"  The  "Counselor!" 
His  counsel  take!  you'll  never  err; 
"The  Mighty  God!"  so  he  is  nam'd; 
Yes,  "  the  dear  Son^^  has  all  things  fram'd. 

3  "The  Father  Everlasting"  call'd, 
He  sav'd  you  all,  ye  disenthraled ; 

We  are  his  sons,  born  through  his  blood — 
Children!  behold  your  "Lord  and  God!" 

4  "The  Prince  of  Peace!"  0  blissful  name! 
To  be  "  the  Peace,"  our  Jesus  came: 
"Eternal  Life !"    His  glory  veil'd, 
"Jehovah"  to  the  cross  was  nailed. 

5  But  0  He's  our  "  Immanuel!" 

Yes,  "  God  within^^  our  souls  doth  dwell; 
His  Love  we  feel — a  heav'n  of  bliss, 
His  Love  our  tongues  can  ne'er  express. 

6  Jesus!  the  "Name  all  names  above:" 
The  last ^^ new  name^^  of  God — of  Love! 
Salvation's  in  "no  other  name;" 
Apply  his  blood,  ye  blind,  ye  lame. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  381 

7  Sinners,  for  you  he  bled,  he  died ! 

For  you  he  groanM,  and  suff'ring,  cried; 
O  venture  on  his  love  and  pow'r — 
He'll  give  you  rest,  yea,  rest  this  hour. 

8  Who  in  his  name  are  "  born  again," 
To  sound  HIS  PRAISE  cannot  refrain  ; 
Almighty  Jesus!  spare  thy  rod! 

Chorus —  Thou  only  art  worthy, 
When  born  of  thee!  all  call  thee  God, 
Thoti  only  art  worthy, 
O  FAernal  Lam,h  ! 
O  Eternal  Lamb  J 
O  Eternal  Lamb  ! 
Thou  art  th^  Almighty  ! 

"78  p.  M.     4  lines  ll's. 

HOW  firm  a  foundation,  ye  who  are  the  Lords, 
Is  laid  for  your  faith  in  his  excellent  words; 
What  more  can  he  say  than  to  you  he  hath  said, 
You  w^ho  to  his  counsel  for  refuge  have  fled? 
Choeus — All  glory  to  Jesus!  he  died  on  the  tree; 
He  raised  up  this  ladder  to  glory  for  me. 
Press  forw^ard!  press  forward!   the  prize 

is  in  view. 
And  crow^ns  of  bright  glory  are  waiting 
for  you,  &c. 

2  In  every  condition,  in  sickness  and  health, 
In  poverty's  vale,  or  abounding  in  wealth, 

At  home  and  abroad,  on  the  land,  on  the  sea, 

As  thy  days  may  demand,  shall  thy  strength  ever  be. 

3  Fear  not,  I  am  with  thee!  0  be  not  dismay 'd! 
Thy  God,  I  have  died,  and  w-ill  still  give  thee  aid,; 
I'll  strengthen  thee,  help  thee,  and  cause  thee  to 

stand. 
Upheld  by  my  righteous,  omnipotent  hand. 


382  THE  NEW  BIRTH,  OR 

4  When  through  the  deep  waters  I  call  thee  to  go, 
The  rivers  of  woe  shall  not  thee  overflow  ; 

For  I  will  be  with  thee,  thy  troubles  to  bless, 
And  sanctify  to  thee  thy  deepest  distress. 

5  When  thro'  fiery  trials  thy  pathway  shall  lie. 
My  grace  all-sufficient  shall  be  thy  supply ; 
The  flame  shall  not  hurt  thee — I  only  design 
Thy  dross  to  consume,  and  thy  gold  to  refine. 

6  Ev'n  down  to  old  age  all  my  people  shall  prove 
My  sovereign,  eternal,  unchangeable  love; 

And  when  hoary  hairs  shall  their  temples  adorn, 
Like  lambs  they  shall  still  in  my  bosom  be  borne. 

7  The  soul  that  on  Jesus  doth  lean  for  repose, 
He  will  not  forsake,  or  desert  to  his  foes  ; 

That  soul,  though  all  hell  should  endeavor  to  shake, 
He'll  never — no,  never — no,  never  forsake. 


79 


p.  M. 


WHAT  wondrous  love  is  this,  in  my  soul!  in 
my  soul ! 
What  wondrous  love  is  this,  in  my  soul ! 
What  wondrous  love  is  this,  that  caus'd  the  Lord 

of  bliss 
To  send  this  precious  peace  to  my  soul,  to  my  soul, 
To  send  this  precious  peace  to  my  soul! 

2  When  I  was  sinking  down,  sinking  down,  sink- 
ing down, 

When  I  was  sinking  down,  sinking  down; 

When  I  was  sinking  down,  beneath  God's  righteous 
frown, 

Christ  laid  aside  his  crown,  for  my  soul,  for  my  soul, 

Christ  laid  aside  his  crown  for  my  soul. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.  383 

3  See  Him  in  Bethlehem,  veiPd  in  clay,  veil'd  in 

clay, 
See  Him  in  Bethlehem,  veil'd  in  clay ; 
See  God  in  Bethlehem,  without  his  diadem, 
A  beauteous  infant  born,  veil'd  in  clay,  veil'd  in 

clay, 
A  spotless  infant  born,  veil'd  in  clay* 

4  Ye  winged  seraphs  fly,  bear  the  news,  bear  the 

news, 
Ye  winged  seraphs  fly,  bear  the  news; 
Ye  winged  seraphs  fly,  like  comets  through  the  sky, 
Fill  vast  eternity  with  the  news,  with  the  news. 
Fill  vast  eternity  with  the  news. 

5  Ye  friends  of  Zion  shout,  Jesus'  praise,  Jesus- 

praise, 
Ye  friends  of  Zion  shout,  Jesus'  praise  ; 
Ye  friends  of  Zion's  King,  with  hearts  and  voic-es 

And  strike  each  tuneful  string  in  his  praise,  in  his 

praise, 
And  strike  each  tuneful  string  in  his  praise. 

6  To  God,  the  blessed  Lamb,  I  will  sing,  I  will  sing, 
To  God,  the  blessed  Lamb,  I  will  sing; 

To  God,  the  blessed  Lamb,  who  is  the  Great  I  Am! 
While  millions  join  the  theme,  I  will  sing,  I  will 

sing, 
While  millions  join  the  theme,  I  wull  sing. 

7  And  when  from  earth  I'm  free,  I'll  sing  on,  I'll 

sing  on, 
And  when  from  earth  I'm  free,  I'll  sing  on ; 
And  when  from  earth  I'm  free,  I'll  sing  and  joyful 

be. 
And  through  eternity  I'll  sing  on,  I'll  sing  on, 
And  through  eternity  I'll  sing  on. 


384  INVITATION  HYMNS, 

INVITATION  HYMNS. 

80  p.  M.     6  lines  Vs. 

HEARTS  of  stone,  relent,  relent. 
Break  by  Jesus'  love  subdu'd ; 
See  his  body  mangled — rent, 

Cover'd  with  a  gore  of  blood ; 
Sinful  soul,  what  hast  thou  done? 
Murder'd  God's  Eternal  Son! 

2  Yes,  our  sins  have  done  the  deed, 

Drove  the  nails  that  fix'd  him  there ; 
Crown'd  wdth  thorns  his  sacred  head, 

Pierc'd  him  with  a  soldier's  spear ; 
Made  his  soul  a  sacrifice. 
For  a  sinful  w^orld  he  dies. 

3  Will  you  let  him  die  in  vain. 

Still  to  death  pursue  your  God? 
Open  tear  his  wounds  again. 

Trample  on  his  precious  blood? 
No!  with  all  my  sins  I'll  part, 
Saviour,  take  my  broken  heart. 

4  Take  it.  Lord,  and  make  me  clean, 

Wash  me  in  thy  precious  blood ; 
Make  me  white  and  pure  within. 

Do,  my  Saviour!  *' Lord  and  God;" 
Jesus!  Jesus!  set  me  free, 
Mercy,  Lord,  is  all  my  plea. 


81 


c 


p.  M. 

OME,  poor  sinners,  Jesus  love, 
He  is  now  propitious ; 

If  on  HIM  you  do  believe. 
You  will  find  him  precious. 


INVITATION  HYMNS.  385 

Jesus  now  is  passing  by, 

Calling  sinners  to  him  ; 
He  has  died  for  you  and  I, 

Now  look  up  and  view  him. 

2  From  his  hands,  his  feet,  his  side, 

Runs  a  healing  fountain  ; 
See  the  heart-consoling  tide. 

Boundless  as  the  ocean. 
See  the  living  waters  move, 

0  ye  sick  and  dying; 
Now  resolve  to  gain  his  love, 

Or  to  perish  trying. 

3  Grace's  store  is  full,  andy*ree,* 

Humble  souls  to  gladden; 
Jesus  calls,  "Come  unto  me, 

Weary,  heavy  laden." 
Though  your  sins  like  mountains  high, 

Rise  and  reach  to  heaven. 
Soon  as  you  on  me  rely, 

"  All  shall  be  forgiven." 

4  Drawn  by  love,  I  hear  one  say, 

1  will  go  and  prove  him ; 
If  he  takes  my  sins  away. 

Surely  I  shall  love  him; 
Yes,  I  see  the  Saviour  smile. 

He  removes  my  burden ; 
All  is  grace,  though  I  am  vile, 

He  has  sealed  my  pardon. 

5  Streaming  mercy,  how  it  flows ! 

Now  I  know,  ^fi^l  it  ; 
Half  has  never  yet  been  told, 
Yet  I  want  to  tell  it. 

*  "  Frce^'^  which  means  not  to  be  purchased. 


386  INVITATION  HYMNS. 

Jesus'  blood  has  healed  my  wound, 

0  the  wondrous  story! 
I  was  lost,  but  now  am  found; 

Glory!  Glory!!  Glory!!! 

6  Glory  to  my  Saviour's  name ! 

Saints  do  always  love  him  : 
Sinners,  you  may  do  the  same, 

Only  come  and  prove  him. 
Hasten  to  my  Saviour's  blood ; 

Feel  it,  and  declare  it ; 
0  that  I  could  cry  so  loud 

That  all  the  world  might  hear  it. 

7  If  no  greater  joys  are  known 

In  the  upper  regions, 
I've  resolv'd  to  travel  on, 

In  this  pure  religion. 
Heaven  now,  and  heaven  then , 

Glory  here  and  yonder. 
Brightest  seraphs  shout  amen, 

While  the  angels  wonder. 


^  P.  M.     87,  87,  47. 

COME,  ye  sinners,  poor  and  needy, 
Weak  and  wounded,  sick  and  sore; 
Jesus  ready  stands  to  save  you, 
Full  of  pity,  love,  and  power ; 

He  is  able. 
He  is  willing — doubt  no  more. 

2  Now  ye  needy,  come  and  welcome, 
His  free  bounty  now  apply : 
True  belief  and  true  repentance 
Are  the  works  that  bring  you  nigh ; 

Without  money, 
Come  to  Jesus  Christ  and  buy 


INVITATION  HYMNS.  387 

3  Let  not  conscience  make  you  linger, 

Nor  of  fitness  fondly  dream  : 
All  the  fitness  he  requireth 
Is  to  feel  your  need  of  him ; 

This  he  gives  you, 
'Tis  the  Spirit's  glimm'ring  beam. 

4  Come,  ye  weary,  heavy-laden. 

Bruised  and  mangled  by  the  fall ; 
If  you  tarry  till  you're  better, 
You  will  never  come  at  all; 

Not  the  righteous, 
Sinners  Jesus  came  to  call, 

5  Agonizing  in  the  garden, 

Lo !  your  Maker  prostrate  lies ! 
On  the  bloody  tree  behold  him  \ — 
Hear  him  cry  before  he  dies, 

"It  is  finish'd!'' 
Sinners,  will  not  this  suffice? 

6  Lo !  W  incaimafe  God  ascending. 

Pleads  the  merit  of  his  blood; 
Venture  on  him,  venture  freely  ; 
Let  no  other  trust  intrude; 

None  but  Jesus 
Can  do  helpless  sinners  good. 

7  Saints  and  angels,  join'd  in  concert, 

Sing  the  praises  of  the  Lamb, 

While  the  blissful  seats  of  heaven 

Sweetly  echo  with  his  name: 

Hallelujah! 
Sinners  here  may  do  the  same. 


388  INVITATION  HYMNS. 

83  L.  M. 

MY  sufferings  all  to  thee  are  known, 
Tempted  in  every  point  like  me ! 
Regard  my  grief,  regard  thy  own ; 
Jesus,  remember  Calvary! 

2  Remember,  Lord,  thy  earnest  prayers! 

Thy  agony  and  sweat  of  blood ! 
Thy  strong  and  bitter  cries  and  tears ! 

Thy  mortal  groan,  "My  God  !  my  God  I" 

3  For  whom  didst  thou  the  cross  endure? 

Who  nail'd  thy  body  to  the  tree? 
Did  not  thy  death  my  life  procure  ? 

0  let  thy  bowels  answer  me! 

4  Art  thou  not  touch'd  with  human  wo? 

Thou  didst  not  die  for  me  in  vain. 
Dost  thou  not  all  my  sorrows  know. 
And  claim  a  share  in  all  my  pain  ? 

5  Have  I  not  heard,  have  I  not  known. 

That  thou  "the  everlasting  God," 
Whom  heaven  and  earth  their  Maker  own. 
Art  always  faithful  to  thy  word  ? 

6  Thou  wilt  not  break  a  bruised  reed, 

Or  quench  the  smallest  spark  of  grace, 
Till  through  the  soul  thy  power  is  spread. 
Thy  all-victorious  righteousness. 

7  The  day  of  small  and  feeble  things 

1  know  thou  never  wilt  despise  ; 
I  know,  with  healing  in  his  wings, 

The  Son  of  righteousness  shall  rise. 

8  With  labor  faint,  thou  wilt  not  fail. 

Or,  wearied,  give  the  sinner  o'er; 

But,  in  my  heart  wilt  come  and  dwell, 

And,  born  of  God,  I  sin  no  more. 


INVITATION  HYMNS.  389 

g4  P.  M.    4  lines  Vs. 

DEPTH  of  mercy  I  can  there  be 
Mercy  still  reserved  for  me? 
Can  my  God  his  wrath  forbear? 
Me,  the  chief  of  sinners,  spare? 

2  I  have  long  withstood  his  grace. 
Long  provoked  him  to  his  face ; 
Would  not  hearken  to  his  calls : 
Grieved  him  by  a  thousand  falls. 

3  Depth  of  mercy !  hear  my  cry, 
Jesus,  save  me!  or  I  die? 

Save  me,  Lord  !  thy  mercy  ^sjree; 
Jesus!  Saviour!  bear  my  plea. 

4  Thou  the  cup  didst  drink  for  me, 

0  my  Saviour,  set  me  free  i 
Lord,  I  cannot  let  thee  go, 

1  do  love  thee  I  thou  dost  l^now. 

5  Jesus!  O  my  load  remove  I 
Is  not  all  thy  nature  love? 
Wilt  thou  not  the  wrong  forget  ? 
Suffer  me  to  kiss  thy  feet? 

6  Leave  me  not,  my  God !  my  God  ! 
Hear  me,  and  apply  thy  blood  ; 

I  do  love  thee!  yes,  I'm  free, 
Glory!  Glory!  0  Glory!  I 


85 


L.  M. 


SHOW  pity.  Lord,  O  Lord,  forgive. 
Let  a  repenting  sinner  live ; 
Are  not  thy  mercies  large  and  free  ? 
May  not  a  sinner  trust  in  thee  ? 


390  INVITATION  HYMNS* 

2  My  crimes  are  great,  but  don't  surpass 
The  power  and  glory  of  thy  grace ; 
Jesus,  thy  nature  hath  no  bound. 

So  let  thy  pard'ning  love  be  found. 

3  0!  wash  my  soul  from  every  sin  ! 
And  make  my  guilty  conscience  clean! 
Here  on  my  heart  the  burden  lies. 
And  past  offences  pain  my  eyes. 

4  My  lips  with  shame  my  sins  confess, 
Against  thy  law,  against  thy  grace  ; 
O  wash  my  soul  from  every  sin, 
And  let  me  now  thy  praise  begin. 

§g  P.  M.     4  6's  and  2  8's. 

ARISE,  my  soul,  arise! 
Shake  off  all  guilty  fears ; 
The  bleeding  sacrifice 

In  thy  behalf  appears  ; 
Upon  the  throne  my  surety  stands, 
My  name  is  written  on  his  hands. 

2  Jesus,  who  reigns  above^ 

For  me  now  intercedes; 
His  all  redeeming  love, 

And  precious  blood  now  pleads  ; 
His  blood  atoned  for  all  our  race, 
And  sprinkles  now  the  throne  of  grace. 

3  Five  bleeding  wounds  he  bore, 

Received  on  Calvary; 
Effectual  prayers  they  pour, 

They  strongly  plead  for  me ; 
Forgive  him,  O  forgive,  they  cry. 
Nor  let  that  ransom'd  sinner  die. 


INVITATION  HYMNS.  391 

4  0  thou  Eternal  Son, 

On  whom  my  soul  relies; 
Who  "  trod  the  press  alone," 

0  hear  our  broken  cries! 
Apply  thy  blood,  thy  spirit  give, 
That  all  may  turn,  repent,  and  live. 

5  0  now  our  souls  baptize 

With  fire  sent  from  above  ! 
That,  "born  again,"  we  rise, 

And  shout  redeeming  love  ; 
O  glory  to  the  bleeding  Lamb! 
My  happy  soul  now^  feels  the  flame. 

6  Jesus  is  reconciled. 

His  pard'ning  voice  I  hear; 
He  owns  me  for  his  child, 

1  can  no  longer  fear; 

With  confidence  I  now  draw  nigh, 
And  Jesus!  Jesus!  Father!  cry. 

87  4  lines,  ll's.* 

ALMIGHTY  Redeemer!  \vho  died  on  the  tree, 
Chorus— 0  He  is  God!  He  is  Love  ! 
Thou  only  art  holy ;  there  is  no  God  but  thee. 

0  He  is  God  !  He  is  Love  ! 
Before  flaming  seraphs  encircled  thy  throne, 
Or  angels  ador'd  thee,  thou  wert  God  alone. 

Repeat  the  last  line  of  each  cerse,  and  then  the  chorus, 

0  He  is  God  !  He  is  Love  f 

2  Unsearchable,  thou,  in  thy  glory  and  might 
A  Centre  Eternal !  enthroned  in  light ! 
Through  infinite  space  flow  the  rays  of  thy  throne ; 
All  things  comprehending — to  darkness  not  know^n. 

•  To  the  tune  "Here  is  no  rest." — Wesleyan  Psalmist, page  98. 


392  INVITATION  HYMNS. 

3  Eternal  thy  Sonship — a  Trinity  thou — 

The  Godhead  of  glory!  to  whom  all  shall  bow: 
Thou  art  self-existing — upholden  by  none — 
The  "  I  Am  !  that  I  am  !"— Jehovah  the  Son. 

4  0  listen,  ye  mortals!  look  unto  your  God! 

He  died  to  redeem  you — you're  bought  wuth  his 

blood  : 
Behold!   "the  Almighty"  on  Calvary  slain! 
0  say,  will  you  pierce  him  ?  yea,  pierce  him  again  ? 

5  His  groans  and  his  cries,  shall  they  all  plead  in 

vain  ? 
(All  nature  stood  mourning  when  Jesus  was  slain :) 
O  sinner,  thy  sins  to  the  cross  nailM  thy  God  ; 
0  come  now  and  w^ash  in  his  own  precious  blood. 

6  O  come  !  he  will  cleanse  you  from  sin,  and  all 

dross  ; 
(He  pardoned  the  thief  while  he  hung  on  the  cross:) 
Come,  while  we  are  singing — 0  come,  sinner,  come ! 
Come  now,  and  be  pray'd  for! — O  come,  there  is 

room ! 

7  The  breth'ren  and  sisters  are  waiting  for  you ! 
The  angels  are  waiting! — 0  come,  will  you  go? 
All  glory  to  Jesus !  HE  knocks  at  your  door ; 
Come,  Jesus  is  waiting — Come,  live  evermore ! 

8  Delay  not !  delay  not !  come  forward  just  now — 
In  humble  prostration,  in  lowliness  bow; 

While  yet  there  is  mercy,  let  nothing  control. 
And  "th'  kingdom  of  God"  w^ill  be  born  in  your 
soul. 


INVITATION  HYMNS.  393 

88  c.  M. 

O  JESUS,  bless  !  my  Saviour,  bless! 
For  thou  hast  died  for  me ; 
For  sinners  thou  didst  stain  thy  cross- — 
I  have  no  other  plea. 

/  own  I'm  base,  "  my  Lord  and  God,-^  yet  meiry's  all  my  plea  ,- 
0  wash  me  in  thy  hallow' d  blood,  and  set  my  spirit  free! 

2  My  burden's  sore — Lord,  thou  dost  know, 

Thou  didst  the  light  impart; 
Thy  blessing  pointed  out  my  woe, 
And  quickened  my  poor  heart. 

3  Before  Thee  prostrate  now"  I  lie, 

My  Jesus!  Saviour!  God! 
A  wretched  worm  !  0  hear  my  cry  ! 
O  wash  me  in  thy  blood ! 

4  I  plead  thy  cross!  I  plead  thy  blood ! 

Thy  cries  and  dying  moan — 
J  plead  thy  merits,  0  my  God ! 
Wilt  thou  thy  purchase  own  ? 

5  Thou  didst  declare  the  soul  ivas  blest 

Who  mourned  thy  face  to  see; 
Lord,  I  believe  !  although  opprest — 
O  Jesus !  set  me  free  ! 

6  I  am  not  worthy  of  thy  love ; 

0  whither  shall  I  flee  ? 

0  Jesus!  Jesus!  Holy  Dove  ! 

1  cast  myself  on  thee. 

7  I  give  up  all — my  heart  I  give ! 

Lord,  what  else  can  I  do  ? 
0  Glory!— Glory!— I  shall  live! 
I  feel  his  love  doth  flow. 

/  own  Fm  base,  Jesus,  my  God !  yet  mercy's  all  my  plea  j 
0  hide  my  nature  in  thy  love,  and  keep  me  ever  free ! 

28 


394  INVITATION  HYMNS. 

THE  JUDGMENT  DAY. 

89  P.M.* 

THE  judgment  day  is  rolling  on, 
The  judgment  day  is  rolling  on  ; 
The  judgment  day  is  rolling  on! 
As  fast  as  time  can  move. 
Chorus — Oh!  there  will  be  mourning!  mourning,, 
mourning,  mourning! 
Oh  there  will  be  mourning 
At  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ ! 

2  "  The  Son  of  Man!"  the  crucified! 
Upon  His  Throne  of  Glory  see! 

You'll  then  believe  He's  God  and  Judge — 
But,  oh!   'twill  be  too  late! 

3  See  !  heav'n  and  earth  before  him  flee — 
While  death  and  hell,  and  yawning  graves 
Their  dead  give  up — hear!  hear  them  cry, 
*^0h!  hide  us  from  His  face !" 

.  4  This  congregation  there  may  part. 

There  wives  and  husbands  soon  may  part. 
There  friends  and  neighbors  soon  may  part,. 
May  part  to  meet  no  more. 

5  Parents  and  children  there  may  part, 
Brothers  and  sisters  there  may  part. 
Christians  and  sinners  there  will  part — 
Yea,  part  to  meet  no  more. 

6  The  heirs  of  glory  there  will  meet, 
Saints  and  angels  there  will  meet. 

The  blood-wash'd  comp'ny  there  will  meet,, 

Will  meet  to  part  no  more. 

Chorus — 0!  there  will  be  glory,  &c. 

*  Tune  in  the  Wesleyan  Psalmist,  page-  56. 


DOXOLOGIES.  395 

DOXOLOGIES, 

90  L.  M.      Old  Hundred. 

JESUS  ! — from  whom  all  blessings  flow ! 
Inspire  thy  creatures  here  below! — 
Praise  Him  alone,  ye  heavenly  host!    ^r 
The  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

91  C.  M. 

ALMIGHTY  Jesus  !  Thee  we  praise  !— 
Thou  High  and  Lofty  ONE : 
Thou  TRIUNE  God,  Ancient  of  Days, 
On  the  Eternal  Throne! 

2  0  !  thou  w^ert  once  the  bleeding  Lamb, 

On  Calv'ry  slain  for  me  ; 
Thou'rt  now  the  glorified  I  AM; 
Thy  glory  none  can  see. 

3  Jesus!  Eternal  Son !  we  pray 

That  thou  wilt  in  us  reign  ; 
Be  thou  our  Life,  our  Truth,  our  Way! 
Dear  Lord,  thy  church  sustain! 

92  s.  M. 

"Tjl  TERNAL  LIFE,"  and  SON, 
31A      Our  Father  and  our  God, 
Keep  this,  thy  church,  thou  HOLY  ONE! 
Bought  with  thy  precious  blood. 


DISMISSION. 

And  now  may  "the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  yon 
all.     Amen."* 

*  See  Rev.  xxii.  21.    Note—kny  brother  may  dismiss  a  meeting  at  the 
proper  season. 


CHORUSES, 


I  love|Jesus — Hallelujah ! 

I  lov6  Jesus — yes  I  do  ; 

I  do  love  Jesus  Christ,  my  Saviour — 

Jesus  smiles  and  loves  me  too. 


Glory!  Glory!  Glory!  Glory! 
Hallelujah!  God  is  love.     {Repeat,) 


0  Glory!  Hallelujah! 
0  Glory!  Hallelujah! 
Shout,  OZion!  hallelujah! 
Shout,  0  Zion!  hallelujah! 


Jesus,  my  all,  to  heaven  is  gone, 

Chorus — 0  Glory!  Hallelujah! 

He  whom  my  soul  now  rests  upon ; 

Chorus — 0  Glory !  Hallelujah! 

I  feel  the  fire  is  burning!  Hallelujah! 

I  feel  the  fire  is  burning!  Hallelujah! 


'We're  going  home,  we're  going  home, 
We're  going  home,  to  die  no  more. 


Ho !  every  one  that  thirsts. 

Come  ye  to  the  waters ! 

Freely  drink  and  quench  your  thirst, 

Ye  Zion's  sons  and  daughters. 

Note. — The  word  "  Hallelujah.,''''  means  "  Praise  the  Lord.'' 


CHORUSES.  397 

Jesus,  my  all,  to  heaven  is  gone, 

Chorus — We're  going  to  sing  hosannah! 
He  whom  my  soul  now  rests  upon  ; 

Chorus — We're  going  to  sing  hosannah! 
Chorus — 0!    the   glorious  day  is    rolling  on, 
rolling  on,  rolling  on — 
O  !  the  glorious  day  is  rolling '%n, 
We're  going  to  sing  hosannah ! 


I  am  bound  for  the  kinsjdom —  ^'^  , '      -^ 

Will  you  go  to  glory  with  me? 
Hallelujah!  praise  ye  the  Lord! 

Praise  Jesus!  Glory  Hallelujah! 


0  who's  like  Jesus?  O  Hallelujah! 
Praise  ye  the  Lord! 

There's  none  like  Jesus!  0  Hallelujah! 
Love  and  serve  the  Lord. 


0  glory  !  glory ! 
Glory!  Hallelujah! 

1  am  glad  that  I  am  born  to  die. 


O  there  is  rest,  there  is  rest.* 


0  'tis  love  in  the  soul! 

0  'tis  love  in  the  soul ! 

It  is  Jesus,  Mount  Calvary's  Lamb  ; 

0  he  reigns  in  my  heart! 

0  we  never  shall  part! 

Hallelujah!  forever!  Amen.f 

*  To  the  tune,  "  Here  is  no  rest." 

t  To  the  hymn — "O  how  happy  are  they." 


398  CHORUSES. 

There's  glory !  glory !  in  my  soul — 
'Tis  Jesus  from  above — 
Which  makes  me  praise  his  name  so  lou( 
And  all  his  children  love. 


O  Jesus!  Jesus!  is  my  friend- 
O  hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 
Jesus!  Jesus!  is  my  friend. 


And  you'll  sing  hallelujah. 
And  I'll  sing  hallelujah, 
And  we'll  all  sing  hallelujah. 
When  we  arrive  at  home. 


0  the  Lamb,  the  loving  Lamb, 
The  Lamb  of  Calvary  ; 
The  Lamb  was  slain ^ 
But  lives  again. 
To  intercede  for  me. 


O  give  Jesus  glory, 
For  glory  is  his  own. 


Jesus,  the  Everlasting  God  I 

Chorus — He  was  found  worthy. 
He  who  alone  the  wine-press  trod ; 
Chorus — He  was  found  worthy. 
0  the  bleeding  Lamb  ! 
0  the  bleeding  Lamb  ! 
O  the  bleeding  Lamb  ! 
He  was  found  worthy. 


It  takes  a  humble  soul  to  journey  in  the  army  of  the 

Lord.     (Repeat.) 
Chorus — Rain,  O  rain!  0  rain,  my  Saviour! 

Rain,  O  rain !  may  the  Lord  send  it  down!* 

*  "  He  shall  come  down  like  rain:''    See  Psal.  Lxxii.  6. 


CHORUSES.  399 


Glory  be  to  Jesus!  Glory  be  to  Jesus! 

Come  with  us,  come  with  us, 

Come  with  us  in  love! 

And  we'll  all  march  together 

To  heaven  above.* 


0  the  good  old  way  is  the  righteous  way; 

1  hope  to  die  in  the  good  old  way. 


(0)  hallelujah!  hallelujah! 
We  are  on  our  journey  home. 


Hallelujah!  praise  the  Lamb! 
He  hath  purchased  our  pardon: 
We  will  praise  him  again 
When  we  pass  over  Jordan. 


Home  to  glory!  Home  to  glory! 
Home  to  glory  w^e  will  go; 
Home  to  glory!  Home  to  glory! 
Home  to  glory  we  will  go. 


Sing  glory,  honor  to  the  Lamb, 
Salvation  he  did  bring ; 
All  who  are  wash'd  in  Jesus'  blood. 
His  glorious  praises  sing. 


O  sweet  heaven!  O  sweet  heaven! 
Jesus !  makes  my  soul  complete. 


O  hinder  me  not,  for  I  will  praise  the  Lord, 
And  serve  him  till  I  die. 

*  To  the  hymn,  "  O  how  happy  are  they." 


400  CHORUSES. 

O  here's  glory!  0  here's  glory! 

O  here's  glory  in  my  soul. 

My  Jesus  makes  me  happy, 

My  Jesus  makes  me  happy ; 

Glory  to  his  name  !  I'm  on  my  journey  home, 


Sons  of  God,  triumphant  rise! 
Shout  th'  accomplished  sacrifice  ! 

Chorus — Praise  Jesus!  evermore 
Sons  of  God,  triumphant  rise!  &c. 

Praise  Jesus!  evermore. 

0  glory!  glory  to  his  name ! 

1  feel  his  love  !  I  feel  the  flame  ! 
Praise  Jesus  !  evermore. 


Jesus,  my  all,  to  heaven  is  gone, 

Chorus — I'm  bound  to  die  in  the  army ; 
He  whom  my  soul  now  rests  upon  ; 

Chorus — I'm  bound  to  die  in  the  army. 
I  am  bent,  I  am  bound  to  die  in  the  army; 
To  die  in  the  army  of  the  Lord. 


All  glory  to  Jesus !  who  died  on  the  tree — 

He  raised  up  this  ladder  to  glory  for  me. 

Press  forward  !  press  forward  !  the  prize  is  in  view. 

And  crowns  of  bright  glory  are  waiting  for  you — 

Are  waiting  for  you,  are  waiting  for  you  ; 

And  crowns  of  bright  glory  are  waiting  for  you. 


O  how  good  it  is  for  us  to  be  blest! 
And  dwell  where  loving  Jesus  is. 
A  little  longer  here  below. 

Glory  hallelujah! 
And  then  away  to  glory  go ! 

Glory  hallelujah! 


CHORUSES. 


401 


Palms  of  victory!  crowns  of  glory! 
Palms  of  victory!  you  shall  bear. 
Shout  0  glory !  0  glory  ! 
Palms  of  victory  you  shall  bear. 


0  when  shall  I  see  Jesus,  &c. 

Chorus — 0  how  charming!  how  charming 
How  charming  is  Jesus; 
He  is  my  Redeemer! 
My  God,  and  my  all. 


Jesus,  my  all,  to  heaven  is  gone,         * 

Reign,  King  Jesus! 
He  whom  my  soul  now  rests  upon; 

The  work  is  going  on. 
Reign,  King  Jesus!  Reign  victorious! 
Reign,  King  Jesus!  The  w^ork  is  going  on, 


Praise  ye  the  Lord,  Hallelujah! 
0  Jesus  praise,  Hallelujah! 
Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 
Praise  ye  the  Lord ! 


0  heaven,  sweet  heaven,  when  shall  I  see  ? 
O  when  shall  I  get  home! 


Sing  on,  pray  on,  ye  followers  of  Immanuel, 
Sing  on,  pray  on,  ye  followers  of  the  Lamb. 


And  who's  like  Jesus!  And  who's  like  Jesus  ! 

And  who's  like  Jesus!  He  died  on  the  tree; 

He  died  for  you,  He  died  for  me. 

He  died  to  set  poor  sinners  free ; 

And  w^ho's  like  Jesus !  He  died  on  the  tree. 


402  CHORUSES. 

O  come  and  will  you  go,  will  you  go,  will  you  go, 
O  come  and  will  you  go,  where  pleasures  never  die? 


If  you  get  there  before  I  do, 

Chorus — Happy!  Happy! 
Look  out  for  me,  I'm  coming  too  ; 
Chorus — Happy  in  the  Lord. 
Chorus — We'll  cross  the  river  of  Jordan, 
Happy!  Happy! 
We'll  cross  the  river  of  Jordan, 
Happy  in  the  Lord.* 


0  how  precious  !  0  how  precious ! 
Is  the  sound  of  Jesus'  name  ; 
O  how  precious  !  O  how  precious ! 
Is  the  sound  of  Jesus'  name. 


Jesus,  my  all,  to  heaven  is  gone, 

Chorus — 0  Hallelujah! 
He  whom  my  soul  now  rests  upon ; 

0  Hallelujah! 
Be  engag'd  !  be  engag'd  !  0  Hallelujah! 
Be  engag'd — you'll  gain  the  crown — Hallelujah. 


I  want  to  go,  I  want  to  go,  I  w^ant  to  go  there  too; 
I  want  to  go  where  Jesus  is — I  want  to  go  there  too. 


O  tell  me  no  more  of  this  world's  vain  st(3re; 
The  time  for  such  trifles  with  me  now  is  o'er. 
Chorus — Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! 

Hallelujah,  praise  the  Lamb. 

*  Sung  to  any  two  appropriate  stanzas,  Long  Metre. 


INVITATION  CHORUSES.  403 

0  that  will  be  joyful !  joyful !  joyful ! 

O  that  will  be  joyful,  to  meet  to  part  no  more. 

Ttme  in  the  Wesleyan  Psalmist,  page  4. 


Give  me  Jesus !  give  me  Jesus !  give  me  Jesus  ! 
You  may  have  all  the  world — give  me  Jesus  ! 

Wesleyan  Psalmist,  page  53. 


0  Love  Divine,  what  hast  thou  done,  &c. 

Chorus — O  sinner,  then  thy  Saviour  see  , 
Remember  Jesus  died  for  thee. 

Wesleyan  Psalmist,  page  99. 


INVITATION  CHORUSES. 

Turn  to  Jesus  for  salvation. 
Sinners,  He  for  you  hath  died! 

Peace  and  glory,  these  he'll  give  you ; 
Come,  and  feel  his  blood  applied. 


Boundless  mercy !  all  who  come, 
He  w^ill  receive,  will  receive.* 


Lord  revive  us.  Lord  revive  us! 
All  our  help  must  come  from  thee. 


I  own  Pm  base,  my  Lord  and  God 
Yet  mercy's  all  my  plea; 
0  w^ash  me  in  thy  hallow 'd  blood, 
And  set  my  spirit  free. 

*  To  Hymn  80. 


INDEX 


INDEX  OF  SUBJECTS. 

PAGE 

^'The  true  God," 311 

God's  Advent,      .  .         .         ...         .   320 

God's  Crucifixion  and  Atonement,  .         .  327 

The  Resurrection  of  God,      ....  338 

The  General  Resurrection,     .         .         .,         .  342 

NOTE. — All  the  hymns  in  the  foregoing  subjects 
may  be  used  as  awakening  and  penitential  hymns. 

The  New  Birth,  or  the  Kingdom  of  God,         .  344 
Invitation  Hymns,        . .         .         .         .         .  384 

Doxologies,  ......  395 

Choruses, 396 

Extract  from  the  xxth  Article  of  Faith, 
PAGES  100,  101. 

We  are  determined,  through  the  help  of  Jesus, 
to  have  no  lukewarm,  Laodicean  members  in  our 
church,  lest,  as  Jesus  declares  of  such,  "  I  know 
thy  works,  that  thou  art  neither  cold  nor  hot.  I 
would  that  thou  wert  cold  or  hot,  and  as  thou  art 
lukewarm,  and  neither  cold  nor  hot,  I  will  spue  thee 
out  of  my  mouth."^^  Revelations  xv.  16.  So  much 
does  Jesus  loathe  such  as  are  lukewarm,  or  are  nei- 
ther cold  nor  hot  towards  him.  Therefore,  we  de- 
sire that  all  the  SINGING  in  this  church  shall  be 
in  the  spirit  of  Jesus,  and  with  Ufe  and  ajiimation, 
and  not  drawled  out,  as  in  the  formal  Laodicean 
churches.  We  allow  NO  CHOIRS  OF  MUSIC  in 
our  churches;  but  we  hold  that  the  tunes  and  cho- 
ruses should  be  simple  and  child-like,  as  becoraeth 
the  Gospel. 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


PAGE 

All  hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name,          .         .  313 

A  thousand  oracles  divine,     ....  318 

Alas,  and  did  my  Saviour  bleed,     .         .         .  328 

And  must  this  body  die,         ....  342 

Awake,  my  soul,  in  joyful  lays,      .         .         ,  355 

Arise,  my  soul,  my  joyful  powers,           .         .  359 

Am  I  a  soldier  of  the  cross,  ....  364 

Arise,  my  soul,  arise,             ....  390 

Almighty  Redeemer!  who  died  on  the  tree,      .  391 

Almighty  Jesus!  thee  w^e  praise  !  (Doxology,)  395 

Brightness  of  the  Eternal  Glory,    .         .         .  315 

Before  Jehovah's  awful  throne,       .         .         .  319 

Behold  !— the  Man,  "  the  Mighty  God,"          .  330 

Behold  the  Saviour  of  mankind,     .         .         .  335 

Bless'd  morning  whose  young  dawning  rays,  .  339 

Come,  all  harmonious  tongues,       .         .         .  331 

Come  and  unite  to  worship  God  our  Saviour,  .  347 

Come  we  that  love  the  Lord,           .         .         .  353 
Come,  brethren  and  sisters  that  love  my  dear 

Lord, 354 

Come,  thou  Fount  of  every  blessing,       .         .  358 

Christian  !  the  morn  breaks  sweetly  o'er  thee,  374 

Come,  poor  sinners,  Jesus  love,      .         .         .  384 

Come,  ye  sinners,  poor  and  needy,          .         .  386 


406  INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 

PAGE 

Dearest  of  all  the  names  above,  .  .  .  332 
Depth  of  mercy!  can  there  be,       .         .         .  389 

Eternal  life  and  Son,  (Doxology,)  .         .         .  395 

From  the  regions  of  love  an  angel  descended,    323 

Hail  the  blest  morn,  when  the  great  Mediator,  322 
Hark!  the  heralds  of  salvation,  .  .  .  324 
Hark!  the  voice  of  love  and  mercy,  .  .  326 
Here  at  thy  cross,  my  dying  God,  .         .  330 

Hail!  thou  once  despised  Jesus,  .  .  .  337 
Hosanna  to  the  Prince  of  Light,  .  .  .  338 
He  dies,  the  Friend  of  sinners  dies,  .  .  340 
Hosanna  to  Jesus  !  Fm  filled  with  his  praises,  348 
How  happy  are  they,  .....  351 
How  sweet  the  name  of  Jesus  sounds,  .  .  358 
How  beauteous  are  their  feet,  .  .  .  376 
How  firm  a  foundation  ye  who  are  the  Lord's,  381 
Hearts  of  stone,  relent,  relent,        .         .         .  384 

Jesus,  my  God  and  King,  .  .  .  .311 
Jehovah  speaks!  (let  Israel  hear,)  .  .  .  313 
Jesus!  thou  art  the  life  and  light,  .  ,  .  314 
Jesus,  our  "everlasting"  Lord,  .  .  .  317 
Jesus  drinks  the  bitter  cup,  .         .         .  336 

Jesus!  and  shall  it  ever  be,  .  .  .  .  357 
Jesus,  my  all,  to  heaven  is  gone,  .  •  ^  •  ^^1 
Jesus,  my  portion  and  my  love,  .  .  i.  .  362 
Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul,  ....  362 
Jesus,  my  life,  my  love,  ....  363 
Jesus,  into  thy  hands  I  fall,  ....  366 
Jesus,  Eternal  Son!  give  ear,  .  .  .  376 
Jesus,  "the  Everlasting  God!"      .         ,         .380 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


407 


Jesus !  from  whom  all  blessings  flow,  (Dox- 

ology,) 395 

Listen!  0  Sion !  Jehovah  hath  spoken,  .  .  344 

Lo  God  is  here !  Jesus  his  name,    .         .  .  345 

My  God,  I  am  thine — what  a  comfort  divine,  346 

My  God,  the  spring  of  all  my  joys,         .  .  356 

My  dearest  friends  in  Jesus'  love,            .  .  375 

My  sufferings  all  to  thee  are  known,       .  .  388 

0  Israel  hear,  the  Lord  our  God,    .         .  .  319 

O  Love  Divine,  what  hast  thou  done,      .  .  327 

Our  Lord  is  risen  from  the  dead,    .          .  .  341 

O  Jesus,  my  Saviour,  I  know  thou  art  mine,  .  350 

Our  kindred  dear  to  heaven  is  gone,        .  .  369 

O  w^hen  shall  I  see  Jesus,       ....  372 

0  for  a  thousand  tongues  to  sing,   .          .  .  378 

0  tell  me  no  more  of  this  world's  vain  store,  .  379 

0  Jesus!  bless!  my  Saviour  bless!         .  .  393 

Plunged  in  a  gulf  of  dark  despair,          .  .  320 

Pray,  brethren,  pray,     .....  367 

Praise  Jesus!  the  Most  High,         .         .  .  377 

Rejoice  evermore  with  angels  above,       .  .  345 

Shall  foolish,  weak,  short-sighted  man,  .  .  316 

Saw  ye  my  Saviour!  Saw  ye  my  Saviour,  .  333 

Salvation!  0  the  joyful  sound,        .         .  .  351 

Sori&^-€rod,  triumphant  rise,         .         .  .  360 

Show  pity.  Lord,  0  Lord  forgive,  .         .  .  389 

'Tis  Jesus,  "TRUE  GOD,"  we  adore,  .  .  311 

The  King  of  Glory!  God  the  Son,           .  .  321 

To  Jesus,  "Lord  and  God"  supreme,     .  ,  325 


408 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES. 


'Tis  finish'd — so  the  Saviour  cried, 
The  Lord  of  Sabaoth  let  us  praise, 
The  day  of  Christ,  our  ^^  Lord  and  God, 
The  judgment  day  is  rolling  on. 

When  the  first  parents  of  our  race. 
With  glorious  clouds  encompass'd  round 
What  a  wonder  of  mercy  is  this,    . 
Worship,  and  thanks,  and  blessing, 
Why  wanderest  thou  so  far  from  home 
We  are  bound  for  the  land  of  the  pure  and 

the  holy,        .... 
What  wondrous  love  is  this,  in  my  soul!  in 

my  soul,        .... 


PAGE 

.  326 
.  340 
.  343 
.  394 

.  329 
.  334 
.  349 
.  365 
.  368 

.  371 

.  382!^ 


CHORUSES.— There  are  over  fifty  choruses, 
commencing  at  page  396. 

JVote. — The  hymns  numbered  11,  77,  87,  and 
88,  on  pages  319,  380,  391,  and  393,  were  com- 
posed expressly  for  this  book ;  also  the  doxologies, 
395. 


THE  END. 


DECLARATION  OF  MEMBERSHIP, 


AND  SIGNATURES  OF  MEMBERS. 

We,  the  undersigned,  believe  the  Faith  and  Doctrines  of  the  Church  of 
the  Eternal  Son,  as  laid  down  in  the  foregoing  pages  of  this  book  :  and  do 
adopt  them,  together  with  the  church  government,  (recorded  in  Part 
Third,)  as  our  Rule  of  Faith  and  Practice. 

We,  the  undersigned,  believe  that  we  are  regenerated,  or  born  again, 
(according  to  the  declaration  of  our  Lord  to  Nicodemus,  "  Ye  must  be 
born  again,"*)  because  we  feel  that  "the  Spirit  itself  beareth  witness  with 
our  spirit  that  we  are  the  children  of  God  :"t  who  "  hath  TRANSLATED 
us  into  the  kingdoTn  of  his  dear  Son,  in  whom  we  have  redemption 
through  his  blood,"  Col.  i.  13,  14,  even  "The  blood  of  his  cross."    Col.  i.  20. 

And  we  further  believe  that,  as  children  of  JESUS,  we  "shall  never 
perish,"  as  He  declares,  John  x.  28.  For,  in  the  language  of  the  apostle, 
we  are  fully  "persuaded  that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  prin- 
cipalities, nor  powers,  nor  things  present,  nor  things  to  come,  nor  height,  nor 
depth,  nor  any  other  creature,  shall  be  able  to  separate  US."  [who  are  horn 
again.)  "  from  the  love  of  God  which  is  in  Chrisi  Jesus  our  Lord. "J 

We  believe  that  the  name  GOD.  means,  the  whole  Trinity  or  "  Godhead  ;" 
because,  our  blessed  Lord  declares,  (see  Mark  xii.  29.)  "  The  first  of  all  the 
commandmenis  is.  Hear,  O  Israel,  the  Lord  our  God  is  ONE  liORD." 
For  this  reason  there  cannot  possibly  be  TWO  Lords,  nor  two  Images  of 
God.  We  adore  Jesus,  (who  was  crucified,  who  was  dead  and  buried,  and 
rose  on  the  third  day.)  as  the  one  only  "Lord  God  of  the  holy  prophets." 
See  Rev.  xxii.  6  and  16.  We  worship  him  as  all  the  angels  and  apostles 
and  others  worshiped  him,  and  we  believe  that  the  Father  and  the  H0I3' 
Ghost  Eternally  dwelt  in  him,  the  Eternal  Son,  "bodily."  Therefore,  we 
believe  Jesus  to  be.  the  Triune,  the  total,  and,  as  the  apostle  declares,  "  THE 
TRUE  GOD."  1  John  v.  20.  And  being  ''the  true  God."  we  believe 
that  Jesus  is  the  only  God  in  heaven  or  in  earth,  even  the  only  God  who  can 
be  lawfully  worshiped  by  his  children.  Moreover,  we  are  assured  that 
those  who  worship  the  Son.  worship  the  Father,  because  He  declares.  "I 
and  my  Father  are  ONE,"  John  x.  30,  see  xiv.  7;  they  also  w^orship  the 
Spirit,  for  "  the  Lord  is  that  Spirit,"  2  Cor.  iii.  17,  and  "  the  last  Adam  was 
made  a  quickening  Spirit."^     Hallelujah  ! 

Thus  believing,  WE  DO  HEREBY  ORGANIZE  OURSELVES  into  a 
branch  o/tbt:  church  of  the  eternal  sox.  according  to  Rule  in  Part  Third, 
Chfepter  1st,  pages  130,  131,  and  do  agree  to  receive  no  members  into 
fellowship  with  us,  except  in  accordance  with  the  rule  laid  down  in  Chap- 
ter Ninth:  pages  2i2  to  229,  includmg  the  "  short  questions  to  ALL  APPLI- 
CANTS." 

*  John  iii.  3-7.     t  Rom.  viii.  16.    t  Rom.  viii.  38,  39.     §  1  Cor.  xv.  45. 


•j^     NAME. 


RESIDENCE. 


SIGNATURES. 


NAME.  [  RESIDENCE. 


1^ 


NAME. 


SIGNATURES. 


RESIDENCE. 


SIGNATURES. 


NAME,  <  RESIDENCE. 


SIGNATURES. 


NAME.  ;  RESIDENCE. 


SIGIJATURES, 


NAME.  RESIDENCE. 


SIGNATURES. 


NAME. 


RESIDENCE. 


SIGNATURES. 


NAME. 


RESIDENCE. 


SIGNATURES. 


NAME. 


RlfSIDENCE. 


SIGNATURES. 


NAME.  '  RESIDENCE. 


